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

NATIVE FERNS

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 as theMale Fern but a fine feature in our woods and hedge banks with its golden shaggy scales covering the young fronds in spring.
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 streamsides, and 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 in 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 austriaca 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

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. Osmundas need moisture to grow well but do not like to be submerged. Pond or riversides are ideal.AGM Price £3.50 each

SOFT SHIELD FERN Polystichum setiferum Gwrychredynen Feddal 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 £3.50 each

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

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 stipe, 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. AGMPrice £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

OTHER FERNS FOR NATURALISING

Dryopteris affinis Cristata THE KING Not referring to Elvis Presley but to the magnificent effect made by this form of the Gold Scale Fern. The tips of the fronds are crested symmetrically making an imposing sight. Many variations of fern species have been found as sports and grown on, this example coming true from spores. Again the Victorians were particularly keen and adept at finding new forms, and the King is a fine example of the art.
AGM Price £3.50 each

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

Dryopteris goldieana Introduced from north America this hardy fern has long bold fronds reaching an impressive length in moist cool conditions. Unfurling in spring with a distinct golden green colour, the fronds become light green when mature, making a handsome feature 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 frostin the autumn, hence "Sensitive". AGM Price £3.50 each

JAPANESE PAINTED FERN. Athyrium niponicum var pictum This lady fern needs cool moist conditions to show off at its best, with its unusual silvery grey fronds, each marked with maroon in the middle. The whole effect does indeed look as if the fern has been painted by a Japanese woodcut artist. AGM Price £3.50 each

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Ferns