ROCK GARDENS
Hardy Ferns for
Rock Gardens 1
Ferns do well in the presence
of water, and can be used extensively around
outdoor fountains. Ferns can always be distinguished
from other plants by two characteristics.
First, their young fronds are curled up tightly
and gradually unroll as they grow, till the
whole leaf is flat and visible. Secondly,
they bear, generally on the back of their
fronds, lines or masses of very small pods
that look like fine brown powder. These pods
contain the "spores" from
which the young ferns grow. Each genus of
fern bears these pods in a different manner:
some laterally across the leaf; others longitudinally
up the frond; and some in masses. There are,
again, numerous species in each genus, all
with slightly different traits. The great
variety found among ferns, both as regards
size, appearance, and the conditions under
which they flourish, makes them one of the
most useful of plants to the gardener. They
are found all over the world, and vary in
size from the tiny moss-like specimens found
on walls and in rock crevices to the gigantic
tree ferns of the New World. There used to
be an idea that ferns would only do really
well in a warm temperature, but this has
been found untrue even of many of the exotic
kinds. Of course, our own hardy ferns provide
a wonderful variety of beautiful kinds, but
there are many foreigners which will succeed
equally well out of doors in our climate.
Ferns may be grown among other plants in
the rock garden; they can be planted in masses
in some cool and shaded spot in the marsh
garden; or some place may be devoted to them
alone, and most charming fern gardens may
be made in parts of the garden where nothing
else flourishes, for most of the hardy kinds
of ferns will do well with practically no
direct sunlight. To ensure success with hardy
ferns a study must be made of the habits
of the plants when growing in their natural
home. The British ferns can be seen and observed,
but there are many species of hardy ferns
which come to us from North America; others
are natives of Japan. These last named are
fairly hardy, but will sometimes die during
a very hard winter, if no protection is provided.
The hardy ferns, as a general rule, like
a sheltered and shady position where their
roots can get plenty of water. They must
have ample air and light, however, or they
will become drawn up and weakly. Where they
grow naturally, they are accustomed to a
certain amount of protection from frost,
for this is provided by their own dead fronds,
and sometimes by the fallen leaves of trees
and bushes growing near them.
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