Shipton Bulbs

John Shipton & Daughters, Y Felin, Henllan Amgoed, Whitland, Carmarthenshire , SA34 0SL
Tel: 01994 240125, Fax: 01994 241180, E mail bluebell@zoo.co.uk * Terms and conditions/Privacy Policy/©Alison Foot 2003  

 

Ferns

NATIVE FERNS  Rhedyn   Often loving cool shady places, ferns are ideal plants for damp woodland as well as the shaded border.  Almost fanatically sought after by the Victorians, they are now becoming fashionable again.  They are a fascinating subject in their own right, and our native species are hard to beat.  Hardy ferns are generally easy going, mostly preferring moist shady areas where they thrive.  When planting avoid sunny or windy sites as young fronds can scorch in these conditions, and add plenty of organic material to the soil before planting.  Once established they will reward you with their marvellous foliage and different shapes and habits, with minimal attention.  For those ferns with different cultural needs, please refer to the text.  Delivery Sept to April

 

MALE FERN Dryopteris filix-mas March Rhedynen  This is probably the most widespread of native ferns and grows luxuriantly in woods and hedgerows, liking moist but well drained conditions. The fronds grow to 3ft in length from a stumpy rootstock. The plant traditionally has many magical and medicinal properties.          AGM

Price    £3.50 each

GOLDEN SCALE MALE FERN Dryopteris affinis Marchrhedynen Euriad       Not quite as common but a fine feature in our woods and hedge banks with its golden shaggy scales covering the young fronds.     AGM

Price    £3.50 each

LADY FERN Athyrium filix-femina Rhedynen Fair    The more delicate, feathery appearance of the fronds of this fern have earned it its name. They can be very variable in form, and in height (a few inches to 3ft) and appearance. Common on stream sides and on marshy ground, it can be grown in any soil that does not dry out.            AGM

Price £3.50 each

HART'S TONGUE Asplenium scolopendrium Tafod yr Hydd            This is markedly different from our other native ferns, with its broad undivided dark green fronds which are especially attractive anywhere in the garden. Growing in woods, copses, hedgerows and walls all over the British Isles it requires soil that does not dry out.            AGM

Price    £2.50 each

HARD FERN Blechnum spicant Gwib rhedynen         This is also found throughout the British Isles in woods and hedgerows, although it prefers more acid conditions and is more frequent in the West and North. The fronds have a ladder like appearance. It makes an interesting subject at the base of a deciduous tree.        AGM   Price            £2.50 each

BROAD BUCKLER FERN Dryopteris dilatata Marchrhedynen Lydan    This is a close relative of the Male Fern and is also found throughout the British Isles in woods and hedgerows. Its fronds are pinnate three ways, as opposed to the Male Fern, which give them a more complex look.   AGM                                       Price    £3.50 each

SOFT SHIELD FERN Polystichum setiferum GwrychredynenFeddal         This fern populates our woods and hedgerows particularly here in the moist west. The species has naturally given rise to a range of forms, which were collected and cultivated particularly by the Victorians. The normal form is as attractive as any with soft textured graceful fronds with the distinctive stalked pinnules, heralded in the spring with silver scaled crosiers.            AGM

Price    £3.50each

HARD SHIELD FERN Polystichum aculeatum Gwrychredyn Galed         With glossy fronds, stiffer than the Soft Shield Fern, this fine fern has a more tapering shape. Inhabiting woods and stream sides all over Britain, it also flourishes in our hilly and mountainous areas.     AGM                                                               Price    £3.50 each

ROYAL FERN Osmunda regalis Rhedynen Gyfrdwy           This aptly named fern is indeed regal, from its coppery tinted crosiers unrolling in spring, to its fine autumn colouring. It is the largest native fern growing into dramatic clumps of elegant four-foot high fronds when mature. Royal ferns need moisture to grow well but do not like to be submerged. Pond or riversides are ideal.    AGM                                                               Price    £3.50 each

POLYPODY Polypodium vulgare Llawredynen y Fagwyr     This evergreen fern with its deeply cut, comb like fronds adapts to most situations. It is even happy growing epiphytically on trees where it gives an exotic feel to our woods, but is equally at home on terra firma.                                                                                     Price    £3.50 each

MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT Asplenium trichomanes Duegredynen Gwallt y Forwyn      This pretty little evergreen fern makes a cluster of narrow fronds, each one having a ladder of fresh green pinnules, or leaflets, set against a dark stripe, or stem.  It is hard to believe it is a close relative of the Harts Tongue Fern, but both have the same habits of colonizing those awkward areas like spaces in walls or between rocks, and tolerating drier more limey conditions than other ferns.     AGM                                                                                                   Price            £2.50 each

OAK FERN Gymnocarpium dryopteris Llawredynen y Derw          The delicate appearance of this hardy deciduous fern belies its tough constitution. Its name comes from the appearance of its divided fronds in spring, when they resemble tiny oak leaves as they uncurl. The mature fronds become a rich emerald green. It spreads by underground rhizomes to make excellent ground cover in damp shady situations including stream banks. AGM

Price    £3.50 each

SELECTED FORMS OF OUR NATIVE FERNS           The Victorians were particularly keen and adept at finding new forms of our native ferns, which are originally found as sports and then grown on. This practice continues and there are now a host of wonderful ferns to chose from .

Dryopteris affinis Cristata The King Not referring to Elvis Presley but to the magnificent effect made by this form of the Gold Scale Male Fern.  The tips of the fronds are crested symmetrically making an imposing sight. Coming true from spores the King is a fine example of the art of fern selection.        AGM                           Price    £3.50 each

Athyrium filix femina Veroniae Cristatum  This is an old selected form of the Lady Fern with attractively crested fronds.  It is a fine addition to the shade or boggy part of the garden, but again can be grown anywhere the ground does not dry out.                                                                                                                                 Price    £3.50 each

Athyrium filix-femina Frizelliae        A curious development of the Lady Fern where the fronds have contracted to give the appearance of beaded necklaces. Discovered by Mrs Frizell of Co Wicklow in the 1850’s who may also be responsible for calling it the Tatting Fern, after tatting lacework which was also all the rage.          Price    £3.50 each

Asplenium scolopendrium Cristatum           The fronds of this Harts Tongue Fern divide and divide again to form large crests, a great diversion in the fernery.                                                                                      Price    £3.50 each

Polystichum setiferum Dahlem         Soft Shield ferns have provided an extensive variety of form and shape. This one forms elegant plume like fronds with densely packed pinnae.                                                    Price    £3.50 each

Polystichum setiferum Herrenhausen          This is a majestic form of Soft Shield, compact but spreading triangular fronds. Being a relatively new selection this form is evidence that the art is not dying out.             Price    £3.50 each

OTHER FERNS FOR NATURALISING

OSTRICH FERN  Mateuchia struthiopteris            This is a great colonizer spreading by stolons and throwing up a series of magnificent lime green shuttlecocks in spring. Given plenty of moisture it will grow in the open and keep its fresh green colour through summer as well.   AGM                                                                           Price    £3.50 each

Dryopteris wallichiana           A very handsome fern of the Himalayas where it is equally happy in woodland or on stream banks.  The young growth is almost covered with black scales in striking contrast to the fresh green fronds. AGM                                                                                                                                                   Price    £3.50 each

Dryopteris erythrosaura         Native to woody hillsides across Japan and China, this fern needs damp shade where it will show off its pink and bronze tinged fronds, which gradually turn to glossy green when mature.      AGM

Price    £3.50 each

SENSITIVE FERN  Onoclea sensibilis       A marsh loving fern from North America which runs freely in damp ground, making good ground cover.  The long stalked fronds are produced throughout the summer and are bright green when young.  Hardy, but the fronds die at the first sign of frost in the autumn, hence “Sensitive”.  AGM

Price    £3.50each