FERN PLANTS GALLERY PAGES
Site Map for pages with photo content (o)

Fern Culture
from Sections 1-10 of Ferns and Fern Culture by J. Birkenhead, F.R.H.S.
Published by John Heywood in Manchester in
May, 1892 with
Rules for Fern Culture
followed by
Sections
1 Modes of Growth
2 Compost
3 Compost for various Genera, growing in pots, pans or baskets
4 Various Habits of Ferns
5 Various Modes of Cultivation
6 Light
7 Temperature
8 Ferns in Dwelling-Houses
9 Propagation (in Use in Brackish Water in Coastal District Page)

10 Selection of Ferns

with

British Ferns and their Allies comprising the Ferns, Club-mosses, Pepperworts and Horsetails by Thomas Moore, F.L.S, F.H.S., Etc. London George Routledge and Sons, Broadway, Ludgate Hill. Hardcover published in 1861 provides details on British Ferns

TYPE OF FERN TO GROW
....Aquatic
....Boston/ Fishbone/
Lace/ Sword

....Cloak/Lip/Hand
....Filmy and Crepe
....Lacy Ground
(o)Lady
....Maidenhair
(o)Miscellaneous
(o)Primitive/ Oddities
....Scrambling/ Umbrella/ Coral/ Pouch
....Selaginellas
(o)Shield/ Buckler/ Holly
....Squirrel/ Rabbit/ Hare's Foot

....Staghorn/ Elkhorn/ Epiphyte
....Tassel, Clubmoss
....The Brakes
....The Polypodies
(o)The Spleenworts
....The Tree Ferns
....Water/ Hard/ Rasp/ Chain

 

 

Where to see

UNITED STATES
San Antonio Botanical Garden.
San Diego Botanic Garden.
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
Tyringham Cobble.
UNC at Charlotte Botanical Gardens.
University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley.
USCS Arboretum.
Whitehall Historic Home and Garden.
Wild Gardens of Acadia.
Zilker Botanical Garden.

WALES
Aberglasney Gardens.
Dewstow Gardens.
Dyffryn Gardens.

USE OF FERN
(o)Cold-hardy
(o)From Lime-hating Soil
(o)From Limestone Soil
(o)Hanging Basket
(o)Indoor Decoration
(o)Outdoor Pot
(o)Terrariums
(o)Wet Soils
(o)Ground Cover
(o)Pendulous Fronds

 

Where to see

AUSTRALIA
Adelaide Botanic Garden.
Brisbane Botanic Garden.
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.
Royal Botanic Garden, Melbourne.
Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

CANADA
Le Jardin Botanique de Montreal.
Les Jardins de Metis.
Van Dusen Botanical Garden.

ENGLAND
Biddulph Grange Garden.
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens.
Cambridge University Botanic Gardens.
Chelsea Physic Garden.
Harlow Carr Botanic Gardens.
RHS Garden Wisley.
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
Savill Gardens.
Sizergh Castle and Garden.
Southport Botanic Gardens.
Tatton Park.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens.
University of Oxford Botanic Garden.

FRANCE
Jardin Botanique de Lyon.
Parc Phoenix-Nice.

GERMANY
Arktisch-Alpiner Garten.
Botanischer Garten und Museum.
Flora und Botanischer Garten Koln.

IRELAND
Caher Bridge Garden.
Kells Bay Gardens.

NETHERLANDS
Hortus Botanicus Leiden.

SPORE COLOUR
Spore

BED PICTURES
Garden
 

Where to see

NEW ZEALAND
Franz Fernery at the Auckland Domain Park.
Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust Garden.
Pukekura Park.

SCOTLAND
Arduaine Garden.
Ascog Hall Gardens and Victorian Fernery.
Attadale Gardens.
Benmore Botanic Garden.
Glasgow Botanic Garden.
Inverewe Garden and Estate.
Linn Botanic Gardens.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

UNITED STATES
Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Balboa Park.
Barnes Foundation Arboretum.
Bartholomew's Cobble.
Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Berkshire Botanical Garden.
Bloedal Reserve.
Bok Tower Gardens.
Botanical Gardens at Asheville.
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Cailfornia State Unversity at Sacramento.
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.
Chanticleer.
Chicago Botanic Garden.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Denver Botanic Gardens.
Elandan Gardens.
Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden.
Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.
Fern Canyon.
Ferndell Canyon in Griffith Park.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
Garden in the Woods.
Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Ganna Walska Lotusland.
Georgeson Botanical Garden.
Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Gardens


All
Hardy Fern Foundation members have unlimited access to our spore exchange and can choose from a wide variety of ferns. Our resource pages include publications and books about ferns as well as
useful websites.

A Natural History of Britain's Ferns by Christopher N. Page. Published by William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd in 1988. ISBN 0 00 219382 5 (limpback edition) provides details of Coastal, Man-made Landscapes, Woodland, Wetland, Grassland and Rock Outcrops, Heath and Moorland, Lower Mountain Habitats, Upper Mountain Habitats and Atlantic Fringe Ferns.
I have provided a brief summary in the Ferns in Coastal District with associated plants and Ferns for Man-Made Landscapes with associated plants pages and provided you with the Chapter number for the others, since the information within this book is so comprehensive, that it would need to be completely copied to be of most use.

Tree Ferns by Mark F. Large & John E. Braggins. Published by Timber Press in 2004. ISBN 978-1-60469-176-4 is a scientifically accurate book dealing with Tree Fern species cultivated in the United States and the Pacific, but little known and rare tree ferns are also included.

The Observer's Book of Ferns, revised by Francis Rose, previous editions compiled by W.J.Stokoe. Published by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd in 1965 provides a comprehensive guide to 45 British species of Ferns. It provides details of habitat and how to use those ferns.

The Plant Lover's Guide to Ferns by Richard Steffen & Sue Olsen. Published in 2015 by Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 978-1-60469-
474-1. It provides details on designing with ferns and details on 140 ferns for the garden in the USA.

Success with Indoor Ferns, edited by Lesley Young. Reprinted 1998. ISBN 1 85391 554 8. It details the care of indoor ferns with their position, choice and fern care.


See
Ferns in Britain and Ireland
or the

British Pteridological Society
for further details and photos.

Mail Order UK Fern Nursery
Shady Plants has ferns for
Vertical Fern Gardens and Companion Plants for growing with Ferns.

 

Where to see

UNITED STATES
Harry P. Leu Gardens.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.
Holden Arboretum.
Honolulu Botanical Gardens.
Huntington Botanical Gardens.
Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Garden.
Inniswood Metro Gardens.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden.
Lakewold Gardens.
Leach Botanical Garden.
Leonard J. Buck Garden.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Longwood Gardens.
Lyndhurst Gardens.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Memphis Botanic Garden.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
Michigan State University.
Missouri Botanical Garden.
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mount Pisgah Arboretum.
Mt. Cuba Center.
National Tropical Botanical Garden.
New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skyland.
New York Botanical Garden.
Norfolk Botanical Garden.
North Carolina Botanical Garden.
Olbrich Botanical Garden.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park.
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
Rotary Gardens.

 

 

 


USE OF FERN - Grow in Woodlands Page 1 of 4

USE OF FERN as Ferns for Woodland in the UK from Ferns for Home and Garden Flowers & Plants. Published by Magna Books in 1995. ISBN 1 85422 888 9. Design and text of plan, planting plan, flowering and colour scheme: Bureau Willemien Dijkshoorn BNT, Amsterdam:-

  • Dropteris
  • Matteuccia
  • Phyllitis
  • Polypodium
  • Pteridium
  • Thelypteris
     

Fern

Foliage Colour and
Shape/ Division

Height x Spread in inches (cms)
(1 inch =
2.5 cms,
12 inches =
1 foot
12 inches =
30 cms,
24 inches =
2 feet,
3 feet =
1 yard,
40 inches = 100 cms)
 

Type of Fern to Grow

Use of Fern

Comments

Frond

Credit
is usually for Denver Botanic Gardens,
Wikimedia Commons,
Dana Kelley Bressette of Nativeplants PNW.com
or
Chris Garnons-Williams

Form

Adiantum pedatum
American Maidenhair, five-finger fern

Hardy to -37 degrees Centigrade (-35 degrees Fahrenheit),
Zone 3

Grows in North America, Central and Eastern United States, Canada, Alaska, North India, Japan and eastern Asia.

"Zones 3-8 native to North America and East Asia, the 8-20 forked pinnate leaf segments are in a horse-shape arrangemen from the central stalk" from University of Vermont

Dainty, bright green fronds are held aloft on shiny black stems. The fronds are in clusters from the clump-forming rhizome.

12-24 x 12-18
(30-60 x 30-45)

Spacing 10 (25)

Dainty, bright green fronds are held aloft on shiny black stems, creating a light, airy texture in the woodland garden. In rich soil and bright shade it will spread by shallow rhizomes to form a dense groundcover. Found in the humus-rich woodlands and moist woods of Eastern North America. Easy to grow as long as the soil is loose and rich.
In time, good moist compost and filtered light this will form a lush clump gradually spreading its welcome wands of foliage. Brighter light will reduce the size of the fronds but full sun does not make for a happy plant! It is content in gardens from Zone 2 (where it is clearly one of the most ornamental options) to Zone 9

Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum)

Hardy Species Fern of the Stove, greenhouse and hardy fern types.
Culture: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand, charcoal. Pot, March. Water moderately Sep-Mar, freely afterwards. Position, shady at all times. Plant hardy species in April in equal parts peat and loam, in shady position. Temperature, stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-27 degrees Centigrade); greenhouse species, Sep-Mar 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-13 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade). Propagation: By spores sown on fine sandy peat, kept moist and shaded under bell-glass.

Suitable for

Border and Foundation Ferns

Cold-hardy Ferns

Ground Cover

Lime-hating Ferns

Shade-Tolerant Ferns

Clump-forming. Deciduous Fern. In Part Shade and Full Shade.

It can be found in humus-rich woodlands and moist woods in acidic to neutral, moist, well-drained soils. Does not tolerate clay. Happier in cooler climates and can take more sun in northern zones. Spreads by shallow rhizomes. Propagate by dividing rhizomes in spring. Best used as a groundcover in the woodland or rock garden or as an edge or border in the shaded garden.

A hardy fern which thrives in cold districts, but which is very difficult to grow in areas with a warm to hot climate. Plants may be deciduous in cold regions.It likes shady conditions and plenty of moisture and are best grown in the ground as they dislike being pot-bound. Acid organically-rich loams are very suitable and the plants appreciate applications of surface mulches.

Adiantumpedatumpfrondwikimediacommons

Frond from Image 3 from Adiantum pedatum of Denver Botanic Gardens.

Form from Image 2 from Adiantum pedatum of Denver Botanic Gardens.

Adiantumpedatumpforwikimediacommons

Deparia acrostichoides
(Athyrium thelypteroides, Diplazium acrostichoides, Lunathyrium thelypterioides)

Silver Glade Fern, Silvery Spleenwort - The name silvery comes from the fact that the indusia on the underside of the leaf have a silver color when the sori are close to ripening.

Very Hardy.
Zone 3(4)

Grows in North America, North India and China

Leaves (fronds) are once compound, lance-elliptic in outline, widest near the middle, narrowed at the base with a long taper at the tip end, 18 to 40 inches long, 5 to 10 inches wide, with 20 to 25 pairs of leaflets (pinnae) alternately attached along the stem.

Young fronds are yellow-green in color.

18-40 x 12
(45-100 x 30)

Lady Ferns and Their Allies

Hardy Fern Type. Culture of Stove and Greenhouse species: Compost, equal parts peat, loam, leaf-mould and sand. Pot Mar. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Temperature
stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade) Mar-Sep 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-26 degrees Centigrade). Greenhouse, Sep-Mar 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit (10-13 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).
Culture of Hardy Species: Compost, equal parts peat, loam, leaf-mould, sand and old mortar rubble. Position, old walls, rock gardens, moist shady borders for Lady Ferns.
Propagation: Stove and greenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat at any time. Hardy species by spores when ripe, and division in April.

Suitable for
Cold-Hardy Ferns.

Lime-hating Ferns.

Outdoor Containers.

Shade Tolerant.

Deciduous Fern.

An easy fern to grow which is well suited to temperate regions, but which sheds its fronds with the onset of cold weather in the winter. Plants form a neat tussock and favour organically-rich, loamy soil in a shady situation. New growth in the spring is particularly decorative.

Grows well under medium light in moist soil or potting mix.

Grow in Part Shade, Full Shade, with moist soil in deciduous forest, wooded bluffs, slopes and ravines

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Deparia acrostichoides fronds taken in bucks county Pa.
By Wasp32 via Wikimedia Commons.

 

 

Deparia acrostichoides form taken in bucks county Pa.
By Wasp32 via Wikimedia Commons.

 

 

 

Deparia acrostichoides macro of leaflets.
By Wasp32 via Wikimedia Commons.

 

 

Deparia acrostichoides sori at Cataloochee, Smokies, North Carolina, 20131014.
By Wasp32 via Wikimedia Commons.

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Dryopteris marginalis (Aspidium marginale, Nephrodium marginale, Polypodium marginale)

Eastern Wood Fern, marginal shield fern, marginal wood fern.
Very hardy.
Zone 2(3)

The species is native to northeastern North America, where it grows on or among rocks.

Fronds are dark blue-green and are carried in a tussock.
Marginal wood fern's name derives from the fact that the sori are located on the margins, or edges of the leaflets.
Evergreen fronds provide good interest to the winter landscape.

18-24 x 18-24
(45-60 x 45-60)

Shielder Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Hardy Fern Type.
Culture of Hardy species: Soil, ordinary, light, rich. Position, shady borders or rock gardens. Plant, April. Water freely in dry weather May-Sep. Top-dress annually with leaf-mould or well-decayed manure. Protect in severe weather with bracken or litter. Do not remove dead fronds until April.
Propagation: Hardy species by spores sown on surface of sandy soil in shady cold frame; division in April.

Suitable for
Accent Fern

Cold-hardy ferns.

Lime-hating Ferns.

Rock Garden and Wall Ferns.

Shade-tolerant Fern.

 

Grow in shady areas of the woodland, rock, native plant or wild garden. Mixes well with spring wildflowers, purple-leafed heucheras and hostas. Excellent as a specimen or in groups.

Evergreen Fern.
In nature this fern occurs in shady woodland, and is sometimes known as the Leather Woodfern. Plants grow easily in shade in a loamy soil.
It is found in damp shady areas throughout eastern North America. It favors moderately acid to circumneutral soils in cooler areas, but is fairly drought-resistant once established. In the warmer parts of its range, it is most likely to be found on north-facing non-calcareous rock faces. It is common in many altitudes throughout its range, from high ledges to rocky slopes and stream banks.

dryopterismarginalispfrondwikimediacommons

Frond of Dryopteris marginalis (L.) Gray, dryoptère à sores marginaux, dryoptéride marginale. By David J. Stang via Wikimedia Commons

 

Dryopteris marginalis sori, Tom Dorman State Nature Preserve Garrard County, Kentucky. By Masebrock at English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons

dryopterismarginalispsoriwikimediacommons

Matteuccia struthiopteris
(Syn. Matteuccia pennsylvanica, Pteretis struthiopteris, Pteretis nodulosa, Struthiopteris pennsylvanica)

Ostrich Fern, Shuttlecock Fern

Very hardy.
Zone 2

Mid Green pinnate fronds taper at both ends and grow in a vase-like cluster around the robust rootstock.
Each cluster eventually develops a small trunk.

A vigorous fern which spreads by underground rhizomes, producng clusters of new fronds at intervals Flushes of new fronds are most decorative. Requires acid, loamy soil.

The sterile leaves are deciduous, but the fertile ones persist throughout the winter and shed their spores in early spring, sometimes over snow. Usually 1 or 2 new plants are produced each year from the stolons.

66 x 36
(165 x 90)

Spacing 24-30 (60-75)

Shielder Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Large hardy deciduous fern. Outdoor Culture: Soil, 2 parts good loam, 1 part leaf-mould. Position, semi-shaded, cool, moist border or margin of pond. Plant, April.
Pot Culture: Compost, 2 parts fibrous loam, 1 part leaf-mould, 1 part sand. Position, well-drained pots in shady, cold frame or greenhouse. Pot, Mar or Apr. Water copiously Apr-Sep, moderately Sep-Nov, keep nearly dry Nov-Mar. Repot annually.
Propagation: By spores gathered just before the cases burst and sown on surface of well-drained pan of sandy peat and leaf-mould, cover with glass and keep moderately moist in a shady position in cold frame or greenhouse; division of plants Mar-Apr.

Suitable for

Fern for Acid Soils

Cold-hardy Ferns.

Border and Foundation Ferns.

Ground Cover Ferns.

Outdoor Containers.

Ferns for Wet Soils

Grow in moist shade in a woodland garden, a damp border or at the edge of a pond.
Great at the front of the border, in containers or as ground cover under deciduous trees.
Used as a foundation planting around houses.

Mass in moist, shady woodland areas, wild gardens or wet areas near streams or ponds. Combines well with astilbes or hostas. Plant in conjunction with early spring wildflowers (e.g., trilliums, bloodroot, trout lilies or Dutchman's breeches) which will be well on the way toward dormancy by the time this fern reaches full size.

It will grow in full sun with constant moisture.

Clump-forming fern to grow in Part Shade and Full Shade in Medium to Wet soil.

matteucciastruthiopterispfrond1wikimediacommons

matteucciastruthiopterispfrond2wikimediacommons

Matteuccia struthiopteris, young plant, Hurum, Buskerud (Norway). By Bjoertvedt via Wikimedia Commons.

 

English: Matteuccia Struthiopteris in Ypäjä, Tavastia Proper, Finland
Suomi: Kotkansiiven pysty kasvutapa. Kuva Ypäjältä 29.5.2011.
By Urjanhai via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

Русский: Страусник обыкновенный. Спорофиллы и вайи. Россия, Савинский район Ивановской области.
English: Matteuccia struthiopteris. Fertile and sterile fronds. Savinsky district, Ivanovo Oblast, Russia
By Borealis55 via Wikimedia Commons

 

Matteuccia struthiopteris
Deutsch: Junge Farne im Zeitzgrund bei Stadtroda (Thüringen).
By Michael Sander via Wikimedia Commons

matteucciastruthiopterispfor1wikimediacommons

matteucciastruthiopterispfor2wikimediacommons

Onoclea
sensibilis Temperate-Tropical

Sensitive Fern, Bead Fern, Sympathy Fern

Native to North America, Canada and North Asia.

Onoclea comes from the Greek onos, vessel, and klein, to close, referring to the pinnules of the fertile leaf, which roll up into bead-like segments to enclose the sori.

A member of the Woodsiaceae Cliff Fern Family.

Zone 4

 

Available in USA from
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA

ArcheWild Native Nurseries - Quakertown, PA

Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ

Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

Yellow Springs Farm Native Plant Nursery - Chester Springs , PA

Upright, then arching, lance-shaped or triangular, pinnate, pale green sterile fronds.

The bead-like appearance of the fertile fronds accounts for this genus's common name of bead fern. Some say that the name sensitive fern originates from the frond's sensitivity to frost (they wither after the first subfreezing temperatures).

Winter survival will be enhanced if the dried fronds are left on the plant through the winter.

36-48 x 36-48
(90-120 x 90-120)
 

Miscellaneous Ferns

Hardy deciduous ferns. Fronds, barren ones, broad, once-divided, green; fertile ones, narrow, contracted, once-divided, brown.
Outdoor Culture: Soil, 2 parts good loam, 1 part leaf-mould. Position, semi-shaded, cool, moist border or margins of ponds. Plant, April.
Pot Culture: Compost, 2 parts fibrous loam, 1 part leaf-mould, 1 part sand. Position, well-drained pots in shady cold frame or greenhouse. Pot, March or April. Water copiously April-Sep, moderately Sep-Nov, keep nearly dry Nov-Mar. Repot annually.
Propagation: By spores sown on surface of well-drained pan of sandy peat and leaf-mould covered with square of glass, and kept moderately moist in shady position in cold frame or greenhouse; division of plants, March or April.

Suitable for
Indoor Decoration.

Ferns for Acid Soils.

Evergreen and
Deciduous Ferns.

Ferns suitable for Outdoor Containers

Ferns for Wet Soils

Cold-Hardy Ferns

Shade-Tolerant Fern

The fertile fronds are often used in dried flower arrangements.

Best in wet woodland gardens and moist locations alongside streams and ponds. Can grow in very wet soils as long as there is adequate oxygen. It cannot tolerate sour clay or stagnant water. Also, does not tolerate freezing well, turns black even in light frost.

Shelters salamanders and frogs

Open swamps, thickets, marshes, or low woods, in sunny or shaded locations, often forming thick stands from sea level to elevations of 1500 metres.
A coarse weedy fern commonly found in wet soils where it may form spreading colonies. Plants grow very easily in a pot or moist garden situation. In wet soils, the plants will stand considerable exposure to sun.
Thrives at the edge of water or in a damp shady border.

It grows best in a shaded or partially shaded area in a moist soil. The plant can tolerate dryer conditions in shade, and will tolerate wet soils and so occurs in soggy ground or at the very edge of water in shade or sun. Sensitive ferns spread to form colonies and are often the first species to inhabit disturbed areas. They can become weedy if not sited properly.

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Rodgersia and Onoclea. 25 April 2014, 16:50. By peganum from Henfield, England via Wikimedia Commons

 

日本語: Onoclea sensibilis:コウヤワラビ
2003/06/15
新潟県:Niigata Pref. Japan. By Keisotyo via Wikimedia Commons.

 

 

 

 

Juvenile Onoclea sensibilis sterile fronds in pots. By Coblands.

onocleasensibilispfor2wikimediacommons1

Osmunda claytoniana

Interrupted Fern, Flowering Fern

Very hardy,
Zone (2),3

Native to northeastern North America, India and Asia.

The unusual common name for this fern arises because on the fertile fronds the fertile segments are carried in between sets of normal barren segments, giving the appearance of a gap in the frond. Young fronds are covered with wooly, pinkish hairs.

The leaves grow from a rhizome growing at or below the ground.

Forming a lovely spreading vase habit, this low-maintenance native fern makes a distinctive addition to the shade border or woodland garden.

24-36 x 24-36
(60-90 x 60-90)

Primitive Ferns and Fern Oddities

Hardy deciduous fern.
Culture of Hardy Species: Soil, 1 part each loam, laf-mould and sand, 2 parts peat. Position, bases of sheltered, moist rock gardens or margins of ponds in shade or part shade. Plant, April. Top-dress annually in April with compost of peat, leaf-mould and loam. Remove dead fronds in March. Water plants growing elsewhere than on the margins of ponds copiously in dry weather.
Propagation: By spores sown on surface of sandy peat or hand-light in shady part of cool greenhouse at any time; offsets from established plants in April.

Suitable for

Accent Fern.

Ferns for Acid Soils.

Evergreen and Deciduous Ferns.

Ferns for Wet Soils.

Cold-hardy Ferns.

Rock Garden and Wall Ferns.

Shade-Tolerant Fern.

 

Grows well with hostas in shaded woodland or wild gardens. Also effective along ponds or streams. Interesting accent for the shaded border.

This clump-forming fern has erect rhizomes that form occasional offshoots and grows in moist-wet to wet, acidic garden soil. The plants have deciduous fronds and do poorly in the Gulf States and subtropical climates.

Habitat in forests, shores of rivers or lakes, swamps, wetland margins (edges of wetlands).

Easily grown in medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, rich, humusy, acidic soils, but adapts to lesser conditions.

Deer resistant.

Osmundaclaytonianapfrondwikimediacommons

Osmunda claytoniana.
By Kurt Stueber via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

 

Interrupted fern, Osmunda claytoniana, in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.
By ‪Circeus‪ ‬ via Wikimedia Commons.

Osmundaclaytonianapforwikimediacommons

Polystichum acrostichoides
(Nephrodium acrostichoides)

Christmas Fern, Dagger Fern

Very Hardy Species in Zone 3

Christmas fern grows in a circular form with all the leaves arising from a single point on the ground. It can form colonies but frequently grows singly or in twos or threes. The fronds grow from 30–80 cm long and 5–12 cm broad, divided into 20-35 pairs of leaflets or pinnae. Each pinna is typically 4 cm long and has a finely serrulate or spiny edge and is oblong to falcate in shape.

12-18 x 12-18
(30-45 x 30-45)

Spacing 12 (30)

Often used in Christmas floral arrangements because it is still attractive in December. It is a wonderful companion for spring blooming bulbs. Found in acidic to neutral soils on shaded slopes and well drained flats. The plant height varies from 1 to 2 feet (12-24 inches, 30-60 cms), and will gradually colonize an area even in poor soil. Christmas Fern is a top choice for gardens in Zones 3 through 9.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

The shield ferns of the genus Polystichum are small- to medium-sized terrestrial ferns commonly grown in temperate gardens. Many of the species are particularly attractive for their dark green, glossy, evergreen foliage. The plants are used in rock gardens, borders, or pots, and the larger species can be used as foundation plants or for background foliage. They are often slow to grow from spores.
 

Ferns suitable for

Border and Foundation Ferns

Cold-hardy Fern

Evergreen and Deciduous Ferns

Shade-Tolerant Fern

Cut Foliage

Drought Tolerant in dry or moist shade

Stove greenhouse and hardy ferns. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of stove and greenhouse species: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand and charcoal. Pot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. Temperature for stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).

Grow in well-drained soil, in shade it can tolerate dry conditions. Clump-forming. Grow in Part Shade and Full Shade.

It is found in moist and shady habitats in woodlands, rocky slopes, and stream banks.

The fern can conserve soil and allay erosion of steep slopes. The fronds are semi-erect until the first hard frost, after which they recline to be prostrate and effectively hold in place abscised foliage of the duff layer of the sylvan floor, which enables the gradual decomposition of the abscised foliage into humus, which in turn further conserves soil.

Polystichumacrostichoidespfrondwikimediacommons

Frond of Photograph of the Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). Photo taken at the Tyler Arboretum where it was identified.
By Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) via Wikimedia Commons.

 

Form of Photograph of the Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). Photo taken at the Tyler Arboretum where it was identified. By Photo (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) via Wikimedia Commons.

Polystichumacrostichoidespforwikimediacommons

Polystichum aculeatum (Polystichum lobatum, Polypodium aculeatum, Aspidium aculeatum)
Hard Shield Fern

Very Hardy Species in Zone 4.
Is okay in Zones 5,6,7,8

Native to Europe. It is most abundant in upland regions of the British Isles and western France, where it benefits from the combination of mild winters and moist summers.

Stiff, leathery, glossy, dark green evergreen leaves. Young fronds may be light green and provide a pleasant contrast to the mature rosette. Plants are very hardy in a shady, moist situation and may benefit from the addition of lime to the soil.

24-36 x 20-40
(60-90 x 50-100) with time to ultimate height of 2-5 years.

Remove dead fronds before new ones unfurl in the spring.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam in Julyat 15-16°C (59-61°F) and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Hedge.
Cold-Hardy.
Basic or Limestone Soil.
Outdoor Containers.
Rock Garden and Walls.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, full sun spots. Plant in March. Water freely in dry weather.

Grow in cool, sheltered spot in rock garden

This free-growing Fern is found in hedge-banks.

It occurs in shady situations frequently in mountainous regions and often on limestone rocks.

It grows on steep slopes in deciduous woodlands. It is found in mountain limestone screes in the Jura and the alps, and on alpine and subalpine limestone cliffs.

Underplant roses and deciduous shrubs with this fern.

polystichumaculwatumpsoriwikimediacommons

Nederlands: Stijve naaldvaren sori
English: Polystichum aculeatum sori.
By Rasbak via Wikimedia Commons

English: Polystichum aculeatum, Allenbanks, Northumberland, UK; 04 May 2006. By MPF via Wikimedia Commons

polystichumaculeatumpforwikimediacommons

Polystichum andersonii
Anderson's Holly Fern, Anderson's sword fern

Hardy Species in Zone 5(6)

Native to North America, Pacific Northwest. Found growing in the mountains from Alaska south to Oregon and east to Montana. In Zones 6-9.

Ascending to erect rhizomes and evergreen, bud-bearing leaves - see Section 9 - Propagation

It likes cool and drained soils, acidic and humusy, in the shade.

Over
36 x 36
(90 x 90)
in height by spread in 5 years

It occurs where vegetation is dense, such as moist spruce-fir forests, avalanche chutes, along streams, and shrub thickets.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Ferns for Acid Soils

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

It is found in deep woods in the mountains.  Fronds grow to 100 cms (40 inches).   It has a conspicuously chaffy fiddlehead and leaf stalk.  Pinnae are deeply cut making it appear doubly pinnate.  Bulblets form at the base of pinnae near the tip and may grow into a new plant when the frond touches the ground!

polystichumandersoniipfrondwikimediacommons1

English: Polystichum andersonii in Arboretum Rogow, Poland
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons.

English: Polystichum andersonii in Arboretum Rogow, Poland
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons.

polystichumandersoniipforwikimediacommons1

Polystichum munitum
Western Sword Fern, Common Sword Fern

Hardy in Zone 7

Polystichum means many rows, referring to the arrangement of the spore cases on the undersides of the fronds.  Munitum means armed with teeth, referring to its toothed fronds.  Western Sword Fern is also known as Sword Holly Fern, Giant Holly Fern, Christmas Fern, Pineland Sword Fern, or Chamisso’s Shield Fern.

Ascending to erect rhizomes and evergreen fronds.This species does best in moist, cool climates and does not grow well in the eastern of Southeastern United States.

The species is native to the western United States, Canada, Alaska (Yukon), and Mexico (Guadalupe Island); it is naturalized in Europe.

35-47 x 23-47
(90-120 x 60-120)

The dark green fronds of this fern grow in a tight clump spreading out radially from a round base. Individual fronds live for 1.5 to 2.5 years and remain attached to the rhizome after withering.

Trim off dead fronds in early spring before new growth begins.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.
In cultivation, it also responds well to regular, light fertilizations. While this fern is a favored horticultural subject in western North America, it has proved difficult or impossible to cultivate satisfactorily in the eastern part of the continent.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Shade Tolerant.
Fronds in Floral Decorations.
Woodland.
Acid Soil.
Ground Cover. Outdoor Containers.
Accent.

Hardy Polystichum ferns. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

The fronds are used by florists to include in vases.

Hardy fern for a shady, moist situation in the garden or fernery. Plants are quite cold tolerant.

The preferred habitat of this fern is the understory of moist coniferous woodlands at low elevations. It grows best in well-drained acidic soil of rich humus and small stones. It is very resilient and survives occasional droughts, but flourishes only with consistent moisture and light sunlight, and it prefers cool weather.

polystichummunitumfiddleheaddanakelleybressette1

Phenology: Fronds partially unroll their “fiddleheads” by late May; by late July the spores are near maturity.
Fiddleheads and

 

 

Form of
Polystichum munitum, Western Sword Fern. Photos courtesy of Dana Kelley Bressette, Nativeplants PNW.com

polystichummunitumpfordanakelleybressette1

Polystichum braunii
Braun's Holly Fern, Prickly Shield Fern

Very Hardy in Zone 3(4)

Suitable for Zones 4-9

Clump-forming rhizomes and dark green, shiny, evergreen fronds. The plants do best if placed in a cool site. The fiddleheads are particularly attractive because they are densely covered by silvery scales, which turn light brown with age.

Consider planting rhizome at an angle to help combat potential crown rot problems which most often occur in poorly drained soils.

12-29 x 12-23 (30-75 x 30-60)

Stalks or stems are covered in golden-brown scales that contrast nicely against the leaflets. Dense, upright and arching habit, the fronds arising from a single point, giving a formal appearance. Easy and reliable.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Accent Fern.
Fronds in Floral Decorations.
Ground Cover.
Woodland.
Outdoor Container.
Border and Foundation.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

It grows in moist woodlands.  (Native to British Columbia, southern Alaska, the Idaho panhandle—Listed as threatened or endangered in several eastern U.S. states).

Excellent selection for shaded areas in the landscape, including borders, woodland gardens and wild gardens.

polystichumbrauniipsoriwikimediacommons1

Polski: Polystichum braunii.
By Jerzy Opioła via Wikimedia Commons

Polski: Polystichum braunii
By Jerzy Opioła via Wikimedia Commons

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Polystichum polyblepharum Bristle Fern, Japanese Sword Fern, Japanese Tassel fern

Hardy in Zone 5 (6)

Suitable for Zones 5-9

Erect rhizomes and dark green, glossy, evergreen fronds. This species is easy to grow.

This species is native to Japan, southern Korea, and eastern China.

It performs well in moist shady conditions. Plants form a tidy clump of arching dark green fronds with a glossy finish. Foliage remains evergreen in mild winter regions, but old fronds may be trimmed back in the spring. Well-behaved and not invasive.

Shuttlecocks of spreading lance-shaped 2-pinnate shiny dark green fronds covered with golden hairs when they unfurl.

12-23 x 18-23
(30-60 x 45-60)

Plants in Combination: "It demonstrates another good solid principle of planting design: foliage can be just as exciting as flowers, and it lasts a lot longer. 3 varieties of ferns and a groundcover serve as underplantings for a cutleaf, weeping Japanese maple. In the foreground is Japanese tassel fern, Polystichum polyblepharum. In the middle a Japanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum var. pictum grows out of a groundcover of bugleweed, Ajuga reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’. The large background planting is Japanese shield fern, Dryopteris erythrosora. All of these plantings thrive in soil that has been enriched with peat moss to a depth of about 12 inches and is kept lightly moist."

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Sun Tolerant.
Woodland.
Accent Plant.
Border and Foundation.
Outdoor Containers.
Fronds in Floral Decorations.
Ground Cover

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

This is a beautiful low to medium-sized fern - Excellent for a woodland edging.

A most striking fern as one of selected perennials for Oklahoma Gardens.

Grow in a Rock Garden or well-drained border in the shade.
Newly emerging croziers are covered in scales and, as they develop, the tips fold backwards to make the 'tassels' of the Tassel Fern. As the fronds age they turn a glossy deep green and are beautifully presented in a slightly recurved rosette, like a soft light-reflecting mirror in a shady spot. Given a deep, rich and moist soil this can grow to enormous proportions - exceptionally to 120cm. New growth is early so protect from late frosts.

polystichumpolyblepharumpsoriwikimediacommons1

 

polystichumpolyblepharumpfol1wikimediacommons1

Sori of Polystichum polyblepharum in botanical garden in Batumi.
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

Emerging fronds of Japanese Tassel Fern Polystichum Polyblepharum.
By Harum via Wikimedia Commons

 

イノデ. Mature Japanese tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum) No.1.
By harum.koh from Kobe city, Japan via Wikimedia Commons

 

イノデ. www.inaturalist.
org/calendar/harumkoh/2015/4/4. Juvenile Japanese tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum)
By harum.koh from Kobe city, Japan via Wikimedia Commons

polystichumpolyblepharumpforwikimediacommons1

 

polystichumpolyblepharumpfol2wikimediacommons1

Polystichum imbricans (Polystichum munitum var. imbricans) Dwarf Western Sword Fern, Imbricate Sword Fern, Narrowleaf Sword Fern

Hardy in Zone 6.

It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Southern California

Ascending to erect rhizomes.
This fern produces several erect linear or lance-shaped leaves up to 80 centimeters long. Each leaf is made up of many narrow, overlapping, sometimes twisting leaflets each 2 to 4 centimeters long. The leaflets have toothed edges.

Photos

15 x
(37.5 x )

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Propagate by spores.

Ferns suitable for

Rock Garden and Wall.
Woodland.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

It is a hardy fern for a shady, moist position.
It grows in dry rocky habitat in coastal and inland mountain ranges and foothills.

Transplants well and lends a look of lushness to the woodland garden. Looks best planted in groups or drifts in part shade.

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If you grow and sell ferns in any country, please tell me so that I can put them on this website and inform others where they can be bought online via mail-order.

If you would provide photos and fern details to be only used by me on this website, they would be gratefully received, since I could assume that the photo was a valid one in regard to its name of fern in its filename to that fern in the photo.

item1a1g1a1

Polystichum lentum (Aspidium lentum, Aspidium auriculatum var. lentum, Polystichum auriculatum var. lentum) Himalayan Holly Fern

Semi-hardy in Zone 7

Native to Tibet, China and Burma

This is the most inclusive list of possible species in the genus Polystichum; there are currently 343 names on the list, all of which have been recognized in at least one floristic or systematic work.

It forms an attractive sprawling rosette of slender, dark green fronds which are proliferous on the tip.
Evergreen. Fronds are 16-40 (40-100) long.

 

Temperate - Subtropical

Bright

spreading habit

?

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Greenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat any time; division in March.

Ferns suitable for

Hanging Basket.
Indoor Decoration. Rock Garden and Walls.
Woodland.

Greenhouse Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of stove and greenhouse species: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand and charcoal. Pot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. Temperature for stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).

It is common in the Himalayas growing on shady, humus-rich, rocky slopes. Grows easily in a variety of soils but likes shade.

On rocks in montane broad-leaved evergreen forests

item1d7a1a

If you grow and sell ferns in any country, please tell me so that I can put them on this website and inform others where they can be bought online via mail-order.

If you would provide photos and fern details to be only used by me on this website, they would be gratefully received, since I could assume that the photo was a valid one in regard to its name of fern in its filename to that fern in the photo.

item1a2g1a1

Polystichum lonchitis (Polypodium lonchitis, Aspidium lonchitis, Dryopteris lonchitis)
Northern Holly Fern, The Holly Fern, Holly Fern

Very Hardy in Zone 3

Native to northern North America and Greenland.
It is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere from Eurasia to Alaska to Greenland and south into mountainous central North America.

Lonchitis is from the Greek logch meaning spear, referring to its spear-shaped leaves.

Ascending to erect rhizomes and dark green, evergreen fronds.
The plants are difficult to grow even in cool climates. It is seldom seen thriving under artificial treatment.

This is a true rock-Fern, occuring on the bleak mountains of Scotland and in the milder climate of Ireland, as well, rarely, in the north of England and Wales in 1929.

This fern produces several erect linear leaves up to 60 centimetres (24 in) long. Each leaf is made up of many lance-shaped to oblong leaflets up to 3 or 4 centimetres (1.2 or 1.6 in) long. The leaflets have toothed and often spiny edges.

10-24 x
(25-60 x )

 

This evergreen species is a calcicole, growing in well-drained, cool and moist positions at the base of cliffs, on rocky ledges, and particularly in stabilised boulder-scree. It also grows in deep grikes of limestone pavements.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam in July and kept close under glass cover. Sporelings establish easily in a loamy soil to which lime has been added.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Limestone or Basic Soils.
Rock Garden and Walls in scree slopes.
Woodland in coniferous woods

Hardy Polystichum ferns. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, full sun or partially shady spots. Plant in April. Water freely in dry weather.

Grow on High and dry slopes. Plant in April

A rarely grown fern confined to mountainous regions. Plants resent moving and are very slow to establish following such disturbance.

They like shady, moist conditions and are very cold-hardy.

It grows in mountains, often in rock crevices, throughout much of the northern hemisphere.

It grows in moist, shady, rocky mountain habitat.

polystichumlonchitispsoriwikimediacommons

Sori of Northern hollyfern (Polystichum lonchitis), Wood Fern family (Dryo-pteridaceae). Rocky slope between the Upper and Lower Red Pine Lakes. Red Pine Fork of the Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.
By Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA via Wikimedia Commons

English: Form of Polystichum lonchitis, Grandes Rousses, Vaujany, Dauphiné, French Alps
Français : Polystic en lance
By Meneerke bloem via Wikimedia Commons

More Photos

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Polystichum longipaleatum (Aspidium aculeatum var. setosum, Polystichum aculeatum var. setosum)

In Eastern Asiatic Region

Broad-leaved forests, coniferous forests, bamboo forests, shrubs; 1100-2600 m. Guangxi (Damiao Shan, Longsheng), Guizhou, Hunan (Xinning), Sichuan, Xizang (Dinggyê, Mêdog), Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Nepal].

Zone 6-8

This is described in Ornamental Ferns of China
观赏蕨类
by Shi Lei. Hardcover published in 2002-01

A large fern of mountainous areas, prized for its spectacular flush of densely scaly fronds. The underside of the fronds is also covered with fine hair-like scales. Requires moist loamy soil and shady conditions.

Evergreen.

Fronds 50-120 cm (20-48 inch).

?

Polystichum longipaleatum (long scales), synonym Polystichum seto-sum, joins an illustrious group of shiny foliaged, showy evergreens that are garden worthy even as their botanical classification changes periodically. This Asian from China and the Himalayas has golden scaled, 6-in. (15-cm) stipes bearing bipinnate, broadly lanceolate, hairy 18-in. (45-cm) blades crowded with 40 pairs of linear pinnae. Introduce it to shade and rich soil in Zone 6 to 8 gardens, where it is well worthy of experimentation.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Stove and greenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat any time; division in March. Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Woodland.
Border and Foundation Ferns among deciduous shrubs.

Stove greenhouse and hardy Polystichum ferns. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of stove and greenhouse species: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand and charcoal. Pot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. Temperature for stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

Habitat in Broad-leaved forests, coniferous forests, bamboo forests, shrubs.

item1c6a1a

If you grow and sell ferns in any country, please tell me so that I can put them on this website and inform others where they can be bought online via mail-order.

If you would provide photos and fern details to be only used by me on this website, they would be gratefully received, since I could assume that the photo was a valid one in regard to its name of fern in its filename to that fern in the photo.

item1a1f1a1

Polystichum proliferum
Mother Shield Fern

Hardy in Zone 5

This species is native to Australia - New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

Polystichum - from Greek poly, many and stichos, rows, referring to rows of sori.
proliferum - from Latin proli, offspring, fer – bearing, referring to the proliferous buds.

Erect rhizomes and dark green fronds that are evergreen in warmer climates. This species is easy to grow and can be propagated from the bulbils on the fronds - see Section 9 - Propagation

The rhizome and frond bases are covered in persistent scales which are glossy brown with pale edges. Fronds can reach up to 100 cm in length and 30 cm wide, are dark green when mature but lighter and paler when young.

52 x 36
(130 x 90)

It will occur in amongst boulders and at lower altitudes - in wet forests. The species typically favours gullies and creeks as well as the cooler/moister, southern and eastern facing aspects. Polystichum proliferum will however, occur in drier vegetation types such as coastal scrub and dry schelorphyll, due to its hardy characteristics such as the ability to tolerate salt-laden winds and poor soil quality.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Vegetative reproduction occurs when bulbils develop at end of the larger fronds grows into small plant. As the weight of the bulbil increases, the frond sags until the bulbil can take root in the soil underneath. It can then become the dominant ground cover

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy. Outdoor Containers.
Woodland.
Rock Garden and Walls.
Ground Cover.
Accent.
Border and Foundation.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

An attractive shield fern which grows in colonies, the fronds characteristically developing plantlets near the end which take root while still attached. Flushes of new fronds are covered with brown scales and are eye-catching.
Plants grow easily in a shady, moist situation and are also useful in a large pot.

polystichumproliferumpfrondwikimediacommons

Fronds of Polystichum proliferum from Barrington Tops, photographed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. By Poyt448 Peter Woodard via Wikimedia Commons

Photographed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney (Australia) in January. This photo is from Gardenology.org and is available under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license via Wikimedia Commons

polystichumproliferumpforwikimediacommons

Polystichum retroso-paleaceum
Japanese Sword Fern, Narrow Tassel Fern

Zones 5-8

retroso-paleaceum Epithet means "twisted back scales."

An attractive shield fern which grows in colonies, the fronds characteristically developing plantlets near the end which take root while still attached - see Section 9 - Propagation . Flushes of new fronds are scaly and interesting.

This species is native to Japan and Korea

Photos

40-80 x 40-80
(100-200 x 100-200)

Rounded, overlapping pinnules give this fern a certain stoutness, which is complimented by its extremely furry golden scales running up the stipe and rachis.  They very reliably form a nice regular vase shape with their fronds gently arching outward.  Mature specimens are quite impressive when placed where they can be easily viewed from above, such as below a porch or balcony.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Stove and greenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat any time; division in March. Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy. Outdoor Containers.
Woodland.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

Evergreen plants are easily grown in a shady, moist garden position and are also ideal for a tub or large container.

Large populations grow in rich soil throughout forests in Korea and especially Japan.

New growth emerges early spring a bright green. Plant in afternoon to full shade in well drained moist soil.

item1d5a1a

If you grow and sell ferns in any country, please tell me so that I can put them on this website and inform others where they can be bought online via mail-order.

If you would provide photos and fern details to be only used by me on this website, they would be gratefully received, since I could assume that the photo was a valid one in regard to its name of fern in its filename to that fern in the photo.

item1a2e1a1

Polystichum richardii
Richard's Holly Fern, Black Shield Fern, Common Shield Fern, Pikopiko

Semi-hardy in Zone 7

Zones 8 (with protection) and 9 - it is only borderline hardy in Zone 8. For best results it needs serious protection or a life as an indoor plant.

Erect rhizomes and evergreen fronds that vary from dark bluish green to olive green.

The size of the fronds can be up to 50 by 25 centimetres (20 x 10 inches).

The species is native to New Zealand

12-24 x 20
(30-60 x 50)

 

A question I get asked many times is what flowering plants are suited for growing with ferns. There are a few choice plants, with elegant flowers with subtle shades that compliment ferns and grow well in shade. Here is a collection of plants that, in my opinion, go very well with ferns:-

Cyclamen

Dracunculus

Epimedium

Equisetum

Fritillaria

Omphaloides

Uvularia

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Stove and greenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat any time; division in March. Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Rock Garden and Walls.
Conservatory or Heated Greenhouse.
Woodland.

Stove greenhouse and hardy Polystichum ferns. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of stove and greenhouse species: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand and charcoal. Pot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. Temperature for stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

Easily grown in a shady or partial sun aspect in loamy soil. Looks particularly attractive when planted among rocks.

The common shield fern is found in dry places from the coast to lowland forest areas.

polystichumrichardiipsoriwikimediacommons

Polystichum richardii in Te Reinga Falls, Hawkes's Bay (New Zealand).
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

 

Polystichum richardii in Eastwoodhill Arboretum (New Zealand).
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

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Polystichum setiferum (Polystichum angulare, Polypodium angulare, Aspidium angulare)
Soft Shield Fern, Soft Prickly Shield Fern, Angular-lobed Shield Fern

Hardy in Zone 6

This is one of the most graceful of all British native species.

Erect rhizomes and fronds that are evergreen in warmer climates. Many variants of this species from buds along the rachis - see Section 9 - Propagation . The plants do not like very high humidity.

This species is native to Europe. This forms a medium-sized clump of very soft-textured fronds, dark green in colour with a glossy finish. Plants perform best in soils that remain evenly moist, and slightly on the acidic side.

Height and Spread of
23-27 x 23-27
(60-70 x 60-70)

 

Graceful arching green fronds that droop at the tips as they unfurl showing lighter coloured undersides.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Hedge.
Acid Soil.
Accent Fern.
Ground Cover.
Cold-Hardy.
Evergreen.
Shade Tolerant. Outdoor Containers.
Rock Garden and Walls.
Ferns for Wet Soils.
Woodland.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

It grows in hedge-banks and in lowland woods, preferring, like most of the larger Ferns, the presence of plenty of free (not stagnant) water.
It is also grows in pots and rock garden.

Remains evergreen in mild winter regions. Attractive as a specimen, massed, or in containers.

Grow in a rock garden or well-drained border.
It is perfect for semi-shade in good soil that doesn't become waterlogged yet still stays moist. These are ideal conditions for most evergreen ferns.

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Buds along the rachis of American Plant Food Company, 7405 River Road, Bethesda MD. Polystichum setiferum .
By David J. Stang. First published at ZipcodeZoo.com via Wikimedia Commons

Polystichum setiferum in botanical garden in Batumi
By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

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Polystichum tsus-simense
Tsus-sima Holly Fern, Korean Rock Fern

Hardy in
Zones (5)6

A neat fern valued for its compact, spreading rosette. The fronds are fairly stiff and leathery and an interesting dark, purplish colour when young.

Native to China, Japan and Korea.

It forms a low mound of dark green fronds with black stems and delicate dark veining through the leaflets. New leaves have a purplish cast. Clumps may be divided after 4 to 5 years, in early spring. Trim off any tired looking fronds in spring, and they will soon be replaced by new ones. Tolerates summer heat and humidity.

6-12 x 12-16
(15-30 x 30-40)

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Evergreen.
Rock Garden and Wall.
Terrarium or Bottle Garden.
Outdoor Containers.
Woodland.
Fronds in Floral Decorations.

Hardy Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

Makes an excellent pot plant and can also be grown in a shady position among rocks.

In cold regions this may be grown in a container and wintered indoors. Excellent for edging in the woodland, or in the shady rock garden.

Polystichum tsus-simense of eastern Asia, is commonly offered as a houseplant.

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Frond of Polystichum tsus-simense in Wellington Botanical Garden. By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

Form of Polystichum tsus-simense. Specimen in the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. By Daderot via Wikimedia Commons with Multi-license GFDL, all CC-BY-SA permission.

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Polystichum vestitum (Polypodium vestitum, Aspidium vestitum, Polystichum venustum, Aspidium venustum,
Prickly Shield Fern, pūnui (Maori)

Hardy in Zone 6

Native to the three principal islands of New Zealand (North Island, South Island and Stewart Island) and the Chatham Islands, as well as to New Zealand's subantarctic Snares, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands, and to Australia’s Macquarie Island.

These can be seen at Attadale Gardens in Scotland.

Erect rhizomes and harsh, prickly, semi-deciduous fronds that are dark green above, lighter below. This species grows in cool, moist climates.

Can develop a small trunk.

It is native to New Zealand.

The fronds are 220–600 mm (9-24 inches) long. There are 3–7 (usually 5) round sori on each pinnule, halfway between the margin and midrib, with a light brown indusium. The ferns are usually bicolour with a dark brown centre that is surrounded by margins that are a pale brown.

The fern is seriously affected by rabbit grazing.

Photos

40 x 40
(100 x 100
)

On the Snares Islands, clumps of P. vestitum are apparently the preferred cover for nests of the Snares Island snipe, Coenocorypha huegeli (Miskelly, 1999). Birds on the Snares that nest higher up apparently lose a lot of eggs or chicks to petrels. Petrels don't eat the other birds, but they also nest under cover in the area - and petrels are notoriously bad at making landings.
Touchdown for a petrel seems to basically involve throwing itself at the ground and cushion its descent in the vegetation. Any nest in the way of a plummeting petrel is turned into kindling. A nice sturdy fern is a ground-nesting birds friend, catching the petrels before they scramble your eggs.

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Geenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat any time; division in March.

Easily grown from fresh spores and transplants. However, often slow to establish. Does best in a shaded site planted within a deep, free draining humus-enriched fertile soil.

Ferns suitable for

Cold-Hardy.
Conservatory or Heated Greenhouse.
Woodland.

Greenhouse Polystichum fern. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of stove and greenhouse species: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand and charcoal. Pot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. Temperature for stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).

Plants are very cold-hardy and will withstand severe frosts and snow. Likes plenty of moisture and will tolerate shade to partial sun.

Polystichum vestitum is common in the more exposed landscapes such as gulley floors, forest margins and tussock grasslands, but can also be found in abundance in the more cooler and wetter forests.
It prefers wetter areas and is why it can often be found in gully's however it does like the soil to be free draining rather than waterlogged.

It is found in conjunction with Stilbocarpa polaris, Poa foliosa and Pleurophyllum hookeri.

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Sori of Polystichum vestitum in Dunedin Botanic Garden. By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

 

Juvenile Fronds of Polystichum Vestitum
English: Prickly Shield Fern in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Deutsch: Flora des Mount Cook Nationalpark, Südinsel, Neuseeland. By MSeses via Wikimedia Commons

Form of Polystichum vestitum in Auckland Botanic Gardens. By Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz via Wikimedia Commons

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Polystichum whiteleggei
A former common name was heavy fern, alluding to the weight of one of the large, thick textured, fronds when fully developed.

Sub-tropical zone

Plants have long and broad bright green fronds attractively divided, with the stipe and young fronds covered with large, papery scales. They like shady conditions in moist but well-drained soil

The fern is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea; it is locally common to rare on the edges and flanks of the summits of Mounts Lidgbird and Gower.

?

Shield Ferns, Buckler Ferns, Holly Ferns and their Relatives

Propagation: Stove and greenhouse species by spores sown in sandy peat any time; division in March. Hardy species by division of crowns in April, also by spores sown on sterilised loam and kept close under glass cover.

Ferns suitable for

Conservatory or Heated Greenhouse.
Woodland in central and southern California.

Stove greenhouse and hardy Polystichum ferns. Heights vary from 12-36 inches (30-90cms).
Culture of stove and greenhouse species: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam, silver sand and charcoal. Pot in March. Water freely in summer, moderately in winter. Shade from sun. Temperature for stove species, Sep-Mar 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 degrees Centigrade), Mar-Sep 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit (13-18 degrees Centigrade).
Culture of hardy species: Compost, equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould and coarse silver sand. Position, shady or partially shady spots. Plant in October or April. Water freely in dry weather.

Damp banks support a variety of ferns including the endemic Dryopteris apiculis and Polystichum whiteleggei in Lord Howean Hill Forest on Lord Howe Island.
Lord Howean Mountain Moss Forest on Lord Howe Island - above altitudes of about 600 m these forests are often enveloped in clouds, and more or less permanently saturated.

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Polystichum whiteleggei. By John Game from Berkeley, United States via Wikimedia Commons

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View 260 thumbnails of Polystichum

Nephrolepis cordifolia (Nephrolepis tuberosa, Polypodium cordifolium, Aspidium cordifolium)
Fishbone Fern, Tuber Ladder Fern, Tuberous Sword Fern, erect sword fern, narrow sword fern and ladder fern, and herringbone fern

Native to northern Australia and Asia.

The genus name comes from the Greek nephros, kidney, and lepis, scale, referrring to the kidney-bean-shaped indusia.

Nephrolepis cordifolia has become an invasive species is some areas where it has been introduced. In New Zealand it is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord, which prohibits the sale, cultivation and distribution of the plant.
It is listed as an invasive species in Florida, United States - "The sword fern poses a threat on native species. Through its aggressive spread, sword fern is able to form dense stands and quickly displace native vegetation. Because it is a true fern, it reproduces via spores. Thousands of spores can be produced by one plant and these can be dispersed by wind and water. Spore production occurs year-round in south Florida."

Nephrolepis cordifolia is a wood fern that typically grows in woodland areas. Both fertile and sterile fronds are pinnate, up to 3 feet in length and 3 inches wide. There are many leaflets, or pinnae, ranging from 40-100 mm (1.5 to 4 inches) on each side of the rachis. Each pinna is oblong to lanceolate with an auricle that overlaps rachis. Rhizomes are orange/brown to pale brown with linear scales having hair like tips. Stolons are straw colored and produce small underground tubers. The presence of tubers distinguishes sword fern from the native Nephrolepis exaltata fern. Numerous sori (spore containing structures) are also produced between the leaflet midvein and margin. Dispersal occurs via spores and through the movement of stolons, tubers, and rhizomes.

 

Hardy to 25°F.

24-36 x 24-36
(60-90 x 60-90)

Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis)

 

Propagation: By spores sown on surface of pans of sandy peat under bell-glass and placed in temperature 75-85F (24-30C) any time; division of plants, February-April; or by pegging down creeping stems bearing young plants and removing when rooted.

The most common problem in caring for established plants is overwatering combined with poor drainage. These ferns generally tolerate short periods of dryness.

Grows in wet, shady places, limestone ledges, cliffs, rock and roadsides in North America.

Suitable for

Basket fern.
Warm Greenhouse. Ferns for Woodland. Shade Tolerant.
Sun Tolerant.
Hedge in Philippine. Fern for Acid Soil. Groundcover in tropical and subtropical areas.

Stove Evergreen Ferns. Fronds linear, narrow, once divided, plain or crested. First introduced late eighteenth century.
Culture: Compost, equal parts loam, leaf-mould and sand, 2 parts lumpy peat.
Position: in baskets suspended from roof, or in well-drained pots or beds in shady part of stove.
Pot or plant, February or March. Water moderately October to March, freely afterwards.
Temperature: September to March 55-60F (13-16C), March to September 65-75F (18-24C). Nephrolepis cordifolia will thrive in warm greenhouse.

Ground cover in tropical and subtropical areas.

Grows from shade to full sun (grows in full sun if given ample water) in soil, among rocks or as an epiphyte (particularly on palm trunks). It is colony former and is popularly grown in temperate regions but in the tropics is generally regarded as a weed. It can be grown in gardens, pots or baskets.

Bayabang grows in the Philippines as a hedge plant.

 

Also in
Zones 8-10 in the USA, where it tolerates sea air and salty soil - Lemon buttons ferns thrive in moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4 to 7.

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Español: Cola de Quetzal (Nephrolepis cordifolia), jardín botánico de Tallinn, Estonia
English: Tuber ladder fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia), Tallinn Botanic Garden, Estonia.
Date 13 August 2012.
By Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC-BY-SA via Wikimedia Commons

 

Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) C.Presl from Rodney Ecological District. This image has been released as "CCBY" by Auckland War Memorial Museum. By Ewen Cameron via Wikimedia Commons.

 

Nephrolepis cordifolia - Sori. Date 19 March 2008. By Ixitixel via Wikimedia Commons

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Cheilanthes californica (Hypolepis californica, Adiantopsis californica)
California Lace Fern

California, Mexico

Needs dry atmosphere.

Grow in a terrarium set up with a stony potting mix and kept on the dry side (by sparse watering and leaving the lid off for long periods), Cheilanthes can sometimes be grown to perfection. They may need brighter light than other ferns usually grown in terrariums.

It has lacy fronds of an attractive fresh green.

Aspidotis californica has leaves that are thin and dissected into many triangular leaflets which are subdivided into small segments with curled teeth.
The leaf segments bear sori containing sporangia, with the edges of the leaves rolled under to create a false indusium over the sori.

2-6 x 2-4
(5-15 x 5-10)

Cloak, Lip, Hand Ferns and Their Hardy Relatives (Bommeria, Cheilanthes, Doryopteris, Gymnopteris, Hemionitis, Notholaena, Paraceterach, Pellae, Pleurosorus, Quercifilix)

 

Propagation: By spores sown on fine sandy peat, kept moist and shaded under bell-glass.

Suitable for

Rock Garden and Wall Fern.
Terrarium.
Acid Soil.
Conservatory and Heated Greenhouse.
Woodlands in California.
 

Stove and Greenhouse Ferns. First introduced late eighteenth century.
Culture: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam and silver sand.
Position, pots in shade. Pot, February or March. Water moderately October to February, freely afterwards.
Temperature,
Stove species, September to March 55-65F (13-18C), March to September 65-75F (18-24C);
Greenhouse, September to March 45-50F (7-10C), March to September 55-65F (13-18C).
These ferns require less moisture than most.

Greenhouse Fern.

It occurs naturally on shaded, rock sites. In cultivation, it has proved tricky to maintain requiring a very porous, acid mixture, bright light but not sun, and ample air movement. Plants are susceptible to overwatering.

It grows in rock cracks and crevices in many types of habitat, including Chaparral, Yellow pine forest, Foothill oak woodland, and Valley grassland in California, USA.

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See Botanical Figure.

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Cheilanthes dalhousiae (Aleuritopteris leptolepis)
薄叶粉背蕨 bao ye fen bei jue

China, North India

Aleuritopteris leptolepis was long known to Asian botanists as A. dalhousiae, but the basionym Cheilanthes dalhousiae was typified by a mixed collection and was thus of ambiguous application; the name has been formally rejected preventing further use.

Grow in a terrarium set up with a stony potting mix and kept on the dry side (by sparse watering and leaving the lid off for long periods), Cheilanthes can sometimes be grown to perfection. They may need brighter light than other ferns usually grown in terrariums.

8-12 x
(20-30 x )

Cloak, Lip, Hand Ferns and Their Hardy Relatives (Bommeria, Cheilanthes, Doryopteris, Gymnopteris, Hemionitis, Notholaena, Paraceterach, Pellae, Pleurosorus, Quercifilix)

 

Propagation: By spores sown on fine sandy peat, kept moist and shaded under bell-glass.

Suitable for

Rock Garden and Wall Fern.
Cold Hardy.
Terrarium.
Woodlands.
 

Stove and Greenhouse Ferns. First introduced late eighteenth century.
Culture: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam and silver sand.
Position, pots in shade. Pot, February or March. Water moderately October to February, freely afterwards.
Temperature,
Stove species, September to March 55-65F (13-18C), March to September 65-75F (18-24C);
Greenhouse, September to March 45-50F (7-10C), March to September 55-65F (13-18C).
These ferns require less moisture than most.

A delightful fern which forms clumps of erect, narrow-deltoid fronds, the segments coarsely toothed. It occurs at high altitudes and is apparently cold-hardy.

Rock crevices in forests; 1900-3500 m. SW Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines].

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Cheilanthes distans +
Bristly Cloak Fern, woolly cloak fern, woolly rock fern

Australia, New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia

This small plant is native to various parts of Australia including Western Australia and New South Wales in the east. It is occasionally seen around Sydney in rocky exposed areas. The Bristly Cloak Fern grows in areas of high rainfall as well as the semi arid areas of inland Australia.

distans: distant (widely spaced female flowers).

Found in drier, exposed areas in the eastern parts of the North Island from the Bay of Islands the middle of the South Island of New Zealand.

Grow in a terrarium set up with a stony potting mix and kept on the dry side (by sparse watering and leaving the lid off for long periods), Cheilanthes can sometimes be grown to perfection. They may need brighter light than other ferns usually grown in terrariums.

Fronds crowded, to 30 cm high, < 3 cm wide; stipe red-brown to dark brown, shiny, moderately to densely covered with lanceolate, entire brown scales; lamina narrow-lanceolate, 2-pinnate, upper surface sparsely hairy with simple whitish hairs, lower surface with scales only, golden-brown; ultimate segments sessile, 1–6 mm long and 1 mm wide.
Sori becoming confluent and continuous around the margins of the segments.

4-6 x
(10-15 x )

Cloak, Lip, Hand Ferns and Their Hardy Relatives (Bommeria, Cheilanthes, Doryopteris, Gymnopteris, Hemionitis, Notholaena, Paraceterach, Pellae, Pleurosorus, Quercifilix)

 

Propagation: By spores sown on fine sandy peat, kept moist and shaded under bell-glass.

Minute spores are wind dispersed (Thorsen et al., 2009).

Suitable for

Rock Garden and Wall Fern.
Terrarium.
Acid Soil.
Pot in Conservatory or Heated Greenhouse.
Colour in Fern Fronds.
Woodland.
Drier Soil Fern.
Ground Cover.
Cold Hardy.

 

Stove and Greenhouse Ferns. First introduced late eighteenth century.
Culture: Compost, 2 parts peat, 1 part loam and silver sand.
Position, pots in shade. Pot, February or March. Water moderately October to February, freely afterwards.
Temperature,
Stove species, September to March 55-65F (13-18C), March to September 65-75F (18-24C);
Greenhouse, September to March 45-50F (7-10C), March to September 55-65F (13-18C).
These ferns require less moisture than most.

A fairly easily grown species which forms clumps of slender fronds that are covered with bristly scales. Attractive in a pot or rock garden. Needs acid, humus-rich soil in a part shade situation.

It has a woolly appearance with small white hairs on the top side of the fronds, and a rusty brown underneath.

Grows on rocky hillsides in woodland or open forest in New South Wales, Australia.

Coastal to montane in dry, rocky habitats with only sparse or no vegetation cover. Often found growing with Asplenium flabellifolium, Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi and Pellaea calidirupium. More common in the drier eastern parts of the country of New Zealand.
Easily grown in a dry sunny site. An excellent pot plant. In ideal conditions it soon self establishes.

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Cheilanthes distans at UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, California, USA. Identified by sign. Date 31 March 2010. By Stickpen via Wikimedia Commons.

See other photos and Noosa's Publications.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ivydene Horticultural Services logo with I design, construct and maintain private gardens. I also advise and teach you in your own garden. 01634 389677

 

If you grow and sell ferns in any country, please tell me so that I can put them on this website and inform others where they can be bought online via mail-order.

If you would provide photos and fern details to be only used by me on this website, they would be gratefully received, since I could assume that the photo was a valid one in regard to its name of fern in its filename to that fern in the photo.

 

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Page structure amended December 2012.
Gallery structure changed November 2018.
Chris Garnons-Williams.

DISCLAIMER: Links to external sites are provided as a courtesy to visitors. Ivydene Horticultural Services are not responsible for the content and/or quality of external web sites linked from this site.  

 

Fern Grower's Manual by Barbara Joe Hoshizaki & Robbin C. Moran. Revised and Expanded Edition. Published in 2001 by Timber Press, Inc. Reprinted 2002, 2006. ISBN-13:978-0-88192-495-4.
"This book is mainly written for people seriously interested in growing ferns, knowing their names and what makes them similar or different, and appreciating their diversity. It is not a coffee-table book, nor a chatty type of garden book meant for light reading. Beginning fern amateurs may find more information than they need, but they will also find information useful at their level. Although this book primarily is a reference, it is also for browsing and gleaning bits of information not readily found elsewhere.
The core information in this book will be particularly helpful to plant people who want to grow or identify different ferns and fern allies." from the Preface to the above book.

 

 

USE OF FERN WITH PHOTOS
using information from Fern Grower's Manual by Barbara Joe Hoshizaki & Robbin C. Moran and
The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1


Outdoor Use in
Northeastern United States
Zones 3-6
Southeastern United States Zones 6-8
Southern Florida and Hawaii Zones 10-11
Central United States Zones 3-6
Northwestern United States Zones 5-8 with some Zone 9
Southwestern United States Zones 6-9
Coastal Central and Southern California Zones 9-10

Accent
Aquatic 1, 2

Basket 1,
Ferns for Hanging Baskets 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Ferns for Hanging Baskets with Pendulous Fronds or weeping Growth Habit 7, 8

Bog or Wet-Soil 1,
Ferns for Wet Soils 2, 3
Border and Foundation 1, 2
Grow in Coastal Region
Cold-hardy Ferns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Colour in Fern Fronds 1, 2, 3, 4
Conservatory (Stove House) or Heated Greenhouse 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Drier Soil 1, 2, 3, 4
Grows on Rock (epilithic) 1, 2
Borne on Leaf (epiphyllous) 1, 2
Grows on another Plant (epiphyte) 1, 2
Evergreen and Deciduous
Fronds in Floral Decorations

Ferns for Acid Soil 1,
Lime-hating (Calcifluges) 2, 3, 4, 5

Ferns for Basic or Limestone Soil 1,
Ferns Found on Limestone or Basic Soils (Calciphiles) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Ferns for Ground Cover 1,
Ground Cover Ferns 2, 3, 4, 5
Ferns of the Atlantic Fringe with associated plants (1 - Atlantic Cliff-top Grassland, Ledges and Rough Slopes; 2 - Clay Coasts and Dunes of South-East Ireland; 3 - Limestones of Western Atlantic Coasts; 4 - Hebridean Machair; 5 - Horsetail Flushes, Ditches and Stream Margins; 6 - Water Margin Osmunda Habitats; 7 - Western, Low-lying, Wet, Acid Woodlands; 8 - Western, Oak and Oak-Birch Woodlands and Ravines, in the UK and Ireland)
Ferns in Coastal District with associated plants
(Hard Rock Cliffs, Soft Rock Cliffs, Clay Coasts, or Coastal Sand-Dunes in the UK)
Ferns of Grasslands and Rock Outcrops (Grasslands; Rocks, Quarries and Mines in the UK)
Ferns of Heath and Moorland with associated plants (1 - Bracken Heath; 2 - Ferns of Moist Heathland Slopes and Margins of Rills and Streams; 3 - Heathland Horsetails, 4 - Heathland Clubmosses, in the UK)
Ferns of Lower Mountain Habitats with associated plants (1 - Upland Slopes and Screes; 2 - Base-rich, Upland Springs and Flushes; 3 - Base-rich, Upland, Streamside Sands and Gravels; 4 - Juniper Shrub Woodland, in the UK)
Ferns for Man-Made Landscapes with associated plants (South-western Hedgebanks, Hedgerows and Ditches, Walls and Stonework, Water Mills and Wells, Lime Kilns and abandoned Lime-Workings, Pit heaps and Shale Bings, Canals, Railways and Their Environs in the UK)
Ferns of Upper Mountain Habitats with associated plants (1 - High Mountain, Basic Cliffs and Ledges; 2 - High, Cliff Gullies; 3 - High Mountain Corries, Snow Patches and Fern beds; 4 - Ridges, Plateaux and High Summits, in the UK)
Ferns for Wetlands with associated plants (1- Ponds, Flooded Mineral Workings and Wet Heathland Hollows; 2 - Lakes and Reservoirs; 3 - Fens; 4 - Ferns of the Norfolk Broads' Fens; 5 - Willow Epiphytes in the UK)
Ferns in Woodland with associated plants (1 - Dry, Lowland, Deciduous Woodland; 2 - Inland, Limestone, Valley Woodland; 3 - Base-rich Clay, Valley Woodland; 4 - Basic, Spring-fed Woodland; 5 - Ravine Woodland on Mixed Rock-types; 6 - Native Pine Forest in the UK)

Ferns in Hedges or Hedgebanks
Outdoor Containers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Rapidly Growing Fern 1, 2
Resurrection Fern
Rock Garden and Wall Ferns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Shade Tolerant 1, 2, 3, 4
Slowly Growing Fern
Sun Tolerant 1, 2, 3, 4
House Fern in Trough Garden 1,
Fern Suitable for
Indoor Decoration 2
, 3, 4, 5, 6
House Fern in Terrarium, Wardian Case or
Bottle Garden 1,

Ferns suitable for Terrariums, Wardian Cases 2, 3, 4,
5, 6

Grow in Woodlands 1, 2, 3, 4
 

TYPE OF FERN TO GROW WITH PHOTOS
using information from
Fern Grower's Manual by Barbara Joe Hoshizaki & Robbin C. Moran and
The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1


Aquatic Ferns (Azolla, Ceratopteris, Marsilea, Pilularia, Regnellidium, Salvinia)

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata), Fishbone ferns (Nephrolepis cordifolia), Lace ferns and Sword ferns

Cloak, Lip, Hand Ferns and their Hardy Relatives (Bommeria, Cheilanthes, Doryopteris, Gymnopteris, Hemionitis, Notholaena, Paraceterach, Pellae, Pleurosorus, Quercifilix) 1,
2, 3

Davallia Ferns (Araiostegia, Davallia, Davallodes, Gymno-grammitis, Humata, Leucostegia, Scyphularia, Trogostolon) 1, 2

Fern Allies (Psilotums or Whisk Ferns, Lycopodiums or Ground Pines, Selaginellas or Spike Mosses, and Equisetums, Horsetails or Scouring Rushes) 1, 2

Filmy and Crepe Ferns (Hymenophyllum, Trichomanes, Leptopteris) 1, 2

Lacy Ground Ferns (Culcita, Dennstaedtia, Histiopteris, Hypolepis, Leptolepia, Microlepia, Paesia, Pteridium) 1, 2

Lady Ferns and Their Allies (Allantodia, Athyrium, Diplazium, Lunathyrium, Pseudo-cystopteris, Callipteris, Cornopteris, Cystopteris) 1, 2

Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum) 1, 2

Miscellaneous Ferns (Acrostichum, Actiniopteris, Anemia, Anogramma, Anopteris, Blotiella, Bolbitis, Christella, Coniogramma, Cryptogramma, Ctenitis, Cyclosorus, Didymochlaena, Dipteris, Elaphoglossum, Equisetum, Gymnocarpium, Llavea, Lonchitis, Lygodium, Macrothelypteris, Oeontrichia, Oleandra, Onoclea, Onychium, Oreopteris, Parathelypteris, Phegopteris, Photinopteris, Pityrogramma, Pneumatopteris, Psilotum, Stenochlaena, Thelypteris, Vittaria)
1
, 2, 3, 4 including Fern Allies of Equisetum and Psilotum or Whisk Ferns

Polypodium Ferns and Relatives (Anarthropteris, Belvisia, Campyloneurum, Colysis, Crypsinus, Dictymia, Gonphlebium, Lecanopteris, Lemmaphyllum, Lexogramme, Microgramma, Microsorum, Niphidium, Phlebodium, Phymatosurus, Pleopeltis, Polypodium, Pyrrosia, Selliguea) 1, 2, 3

Primitive Ferns and Fern Oddities (Angiopteris, Botrychium, Christensenia, Danaea, Helminthostachys, Marattia, Ophioglossum, Osmunda and Todea)

Scrambling, Umbrella, Coral and Pouch Ferns (Dicranopteris, Diploptergium, Gleichenia, Sticherus)

Shield, Buckler, Holly Ferns and their Relatives (Arachniodes, Cyrtomium, Dryopteris, Lastreopsis, Matteuccia, Polystichum, Rumohra, Tectaria and Woodsia) 1, 2, 3, 4

Spleenworts Ferns (Asplenium) 1, 2, 3

Staghorns, Elkhorns and other large epiphytes (Aglaomorpha, Drynaria, Merinthosorus, Platycerium, Pseudodrynaria) 1, 2

Fern Allies - Tassel Ferns and Clubmosses (Lycopodium)

The Brakes (Pteris) 1, 2

Tree Ferns (Cibotium, Cnemidaria, Cyathea, Dicksonia, Nephelea and Trichipteris) 1, 2

Water, Hard, Rasp and Chain Ferns (Blechnum, Doodia, Woodwardia, Sadleria) 1, 2

Xerophytic Ferns (Actinopteris, Astrolepis, Cheilanthes, Doryopteris, Notholaena, Pellaea, Pityrogramma) 1, 2
 

Topic
Plants detailed in this website by
Botanical Name

A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P, Q, R, S, T, U,
V, W, X, Y, Z ,
Bulb
A1
, 2, 3, B, C1, 2,
D, E, F, G, Glad,
H, I, J, K, L1, 2,
M, N, O, P, Q, R,
S, T, U, V, W, XYZ ,
Evergreen Perennial
A
, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P, Q, R, S, T, U,
V, W, X, Y, Z ,
Herbaceous Perennial
A1
, 2, B, C, D, E, F,
G, H, I, J, K, L, M,
N, O, P1, 2, Q, R,
S, T, U, V, W, XYZ,
Diascia Photo Album,
UK Peony Index

Wildflower
Botanical Names,
Common Names ,

will be
compared in:- Flower colour/month
Evergreen Perennial
,
F
lower shape Wildflower Flower Shape and
Plant use
Evergreen Perennial Flower Shape,
Bee plants for hay-fever sufferers

Bee-Pollinated Index
Butterfly
Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis, Butterfly Usage
of Plants.
Chalk
A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P, QR, S, T, UV,
WXYZ
Companion Planting
A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P, Q, R , S, T,
U ,V, W, X, Y, Z,
Pest Control using Plants
Fern Fern
1000 Ground Cover A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P, Q, R, S, T, U,
V, W, XYZ ,
Rock Garden and Alpine Flowers
A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M,
NO, PQ, R, S, T,
UVWXYZ

Rose Rose Use

These 5 have Page links in rows below
Bulbs from the Infill Galleries (next row), Camera Photos,
Plant Colour Wheel Uses,
Sense of Fragrance, Wild Flower


Case Studies
...Drive Foundations
Ryegrass and turf kills plants within Roadstone and in Topsoil due to it starving and dehydrating them.
CEDAdrive creates stable drive surface and drains rain into your ground, rather than onto the public road.
8 problems caused by building house on clay or with house-wall attached to clay.
Pre-building work on polluted soil.

Companion Planting
to provide a Companion Plant to aid your selected plant or deter its pests

Garden
Construction

with ground drains

Garden Design
...How to Use the Colour Wheel Concepts for Selection of Flowers, Foliage and Flower Shape
...RHS Mixed
Borders

......Bedding Plants
......Her Perennials
......Other Plants
......Camera photos of Plant supports
Garden
Maintenance

Glossary with a tomato teaching cauliflowers
Home
Library of over 1000 books
Offbeat Glossary with DuLally Bird in its flower clock.

Plants
...in Chalk
(Alkaline) Soil
......A-F1, A-F2,
......A-F3, G-L, M-R,
......M-R Roses, S-Z
...in Heavy
Clay Soil
......A-F, G-L, M-R,
......S-Z
...in Lime-Free
(Acid) Soil
......A-F, G-L, M-R,
......S-Z
...in Light
Sand Soil
......A-F, G-L, M-R,
......S-Z.
...Poisonous Plants.
...Extra Plant Pages
with its 6 Plant Selection Levels

Soil
...
Interaction between 2 Quartz Sand Grains to make soil
...
How roots of plants are in control in the soil
...
Without replacing Soil Nutrients, the soil will break up to only clay, sand or silt
...
Subsidence caused by water in Clay
...
Use water ring for trees/shrubs for first 2 years.

Tool Shed with 3 kneeling pads
Useful Data with benefits of Seaweed

Topic -
Plant Photo Galleries
If the plant type below has flowers, then the first gallery will include the flower thumbnail in each month of 1 of 6 colour comparison pages of each plant in its subsidiary galleries, as a low-level Plant Selection Process

Aquatic
Bamboo
Bedding
...by Flower Shape

Bulb
...Allium/ Anemone
...Autumn
...Colchicum/ Crocus
...Dahlia
...Gladiolus with its 40 Flower Colours
......European A-E
......European F-M
......European N-Z
......European Non-classified
......American A,
B, C, D, E, F, G,
H, I, J, K, L, M,
N, O, P, Q, R, S,
T, U, V, W, XYZ
......American Non-classified
......Australia - empty
......India
......Lithuania
...Hippeastrum/ Lily
...Late Summer
...Narcissus
...Spring
...Tulip
...Winter
...Each of the above ...Bulb Galleries has its own set of Flower Colour Pages
...Flower Shape
...Bulb Form

...Bulb Use

...Bulb in Soil


Further details on bulbs from the Infill Galleries:-
Hardy Bulbs
...Aconitum
...Allium
...Alstroemeria
...Anemone

...Amaryllis
...Anthericum
...Antholyzas
...Apios
...Arisaema
...Arum
...Asphodeline

...Asphodelus
...Belamcanda
...Bloomeria
...Brodiaea
...Bulbocodium

...Calochorti
...Cyclobothrias
...Camassia
...Colchicum
...Convallaria 
...Forcing Lily of the Valley
...Corydalis
...Crinum
...Crosmia
...Montbretia
...Crocus

...Cyclamen
...Dicentra
...Dierama
...Eranthis
...Eremurus
...Erythrnium
...Eucomis

...Fritillaria
...Funkia
...Galanthus
...Galtonia
...Gladiolus
...Hemerocallis

...Hyacinth
...Hyacinths in Pots
...Scilla
...Puschkinia
...Chionodoxa
...Chionoscilla
...Muscari

...Iris
...Kniphofia
...Lapeyrousia
...Leucojum

...Lilium
...Lilium in Pots
...Malvastrum
...Merendera
...Milla
...Narcissus
...Narcissi in Pots

...Ornithogalum
...Oxalis
...Paeonia
...Ranunculus
...Romulea
...Sanguinaria
...Sternbergia
...Schizostylis
...Tecophilaea
...Trillium

...Tulip
...Zephyranthus

Half-Hardy Bulbs
...Acidanthera
...Albuca
...Alstroemeri
...Andro-stephium
...Bassers
...Boussing-aultias
...Bravoas
...Cypellas
...Dahlias
...Galaxis,
...Geissorhizas
...Hesperanthas

...Gladioli
...Ixias
...Sparaxises
...Babianas
...Morphixias
...Tritonias

...Ixiolirions
...Moraeas
...Ornithogalums
...Oxalises
...Phaedra-nassas
...Pancratiums
...Tigridias
...Zephyranthes
...Cooperias

Uses of Bulbs:-
...for Bedding
...in Windowboxes
...in Border
...naturalized in Grass
...in Bulb Frame
...in Woodland Garden
...in Rock Garden
...in Bowls
...in Alpine House
...Bulbs in Green-house or Stove:-
...Achimenes
...Alocasias
...Amorpho-phalluses
...Arisaemas
...Arums
...Begonias
...Bomareas
...Caladiums

...Clivias
...Colocasias
...Crinums
...Cyclamens
...Cyrtanthuses
...Eucharises
...Urceocharis
...Eurycles

...Freesias
...Gloxinias
...Haemanthus
...Hippeastrums

...Lachenalias
...Nerines
...Lycorises
...Pencratiums
...Hymenocallises
...Richardias
...Sprekelias
...Tuberoses
...Vallotas
...Watsonias
...Zephyranthes

...Plant Bedding in
......Spring

......Summer
...Bulb houseplants flowering during:-
......January
......February
......March
......April
......May
......June
......July
......August
......September
......October
......November
......December
...Bulbs and other types of plant flowering during:-
......Dec-Jan
......Feb-Mar
......Apr-May
......Jun-Aug
......Sep-Oct
......Nov-Dec
...Selection of the smaller and choicer plants for the Smallest of Gardens with plant flowering during the same 6 periods as in the previous selection

Climber in
3 Sector Vertical Plant System
...Clematis
...Climbers
Conifer
Deciduous Shrub
...Shrubs - Decid
Deciduous Tree
...Trees - Decid
Evergreen Perennial
...P-Evergreen A-L
...P-Evergreen M-Z
...Flower Shape
Evergreen Shrub
...Shrubs - Evergreen
...Heather Shrub
...Heather Index
......Andromeda
......Bruckenthalia
......Calluna
......Daboecia
......Erica: Carnea
......Erica: Cinerea
......Erica: Others
Evergreen Tree
...Trees - Evergreen
Fern
Grass
Hedging
Herbaceous
Perennial

...P -Herbaceous
...Peony
...Flower Shape
...RHS Wisley
......Mixed Border
......Other Borders
Herb
Odds and Sods
Rhododendron

Rose
...RHS Wisley A-F
...RHS Wisley G-R
...RHS Wisley S-Z
...Rose Use - page links in row 6. Rose, RHS Wisley and Other Roses rose indices on each Rose Use page
...Other Roses A-F
...Other Roses G-R
...Other Roses S-Z
Pruning Methods
Photo Index
R 1, 2, 3
Peter Beales Roses
RV Roger
Roses

Soft Fruit
Top Fruit
...Apple

...Cherry
...Pear
Vegetable
Wild Flower and
Butterfly page links are in next row

Topic -
UK Butterfly:-
...Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Butterfly Usage
of Plants.
...Plant Usage by
Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Butterfly.

Both native wildflowers and cultivated plants, with these
...Flower Shape,
...
Uses in USA,
...
Uses in UK and
...
Flo Cols / month are used by Butter-flies native in UK


Wild Flower
with its wildflower flower colour page, space,
data page(s).
...Blue Site Map.
Scented Flower, Foliage, Root.
Story of their Common Names.
Use of Plant with Flowers.
Use for Non-Flowering Plants.
Edible Plant Parts.
Flower Legend.
Flowering plants of
Chalk and
Limestone 1
, 2.
Flowering plants of Acid Soil
1.
...Brown Botanical Names.
Food for
Butterfly/Moth.

...Cream Common Names.
Coastal and Dunes.
Sandy Shores and Dunes.
...Green Broad-leaved Woods.
...Mauve Grassland - Acid, Neutral, Chalk.
...Multi-Cols Heaths and Moors.
...Orange Hedge-rows and Verges.
...Pink A-G Lakes, Canals and Rivers.
...Pink H-Z Marshes, Fens, Bogs.
...Purple Old Buildings and Walls.
...Red Pinewoods.
...White A-D
Saltmarshes.
Shingle Beaches, Rocks and Cliff Tops.
...White E-P Other.
...White Q-Z Number of Petals.
...Yellow A-G
Pollinator.
...Yellow H-Z
Poisonous Parts.
...Shrub/Tree River Banks and other Freshwater Margins. and together with cultivated plants in
Colour Wheel.

You know its
name:-
a-h, i-p, q-z,
Botanical Names, or Common Names,
habitat:-
on
Acid Soil,
on
Calcareous
(Chalk) Soil
,
on
Marine Soil,
on
Neutral Soil,
is a
Fern,
is a
Grass,
is a
Rush,
is a
Sedge, or
is
Poisonous.

Each plant in each WILD FLOWER FAMILY PAGE will have a link to:-
1) its created Plant Description Page in its Common Name column, then external sites:-
2) to purchase the plant or seed in its Botanical Name column,
3) to see photos in its Flowering Months column and
4) to read habitat details in its Habitat Column.
Adder's Tongue
Amaranth
Arrow-Grass
Arum
Balsam
Bamboo
Barberry
Bedstraw
Beech
Bellflower
Bindweed
Birch
Birds-Nest
Birthwort
Bogbean
Bog Myrtle
Borage
Box
Broomrape
Buckthorn
Buddleia
Bur-reed
Buttercup
Butterwort
Cornel (Dogwood)
Crowberry
Crucifer (Cabbage/Mustard) 1
Crucifer (Cabbage/Mustard) 2
Cypress
Daffodil
Daisy
Daisy Cudweeds
Daisy Chamomiles
Daisy Thistle
Daisy Catsears Daisy Hawkweeds
Daisy Hawksbeards
Daphne
Diapensia
Dock Bistorts
Dock Sorrels
Clubmoss
Duckweed
Eel-Grass
Elm
Filmy Fern
Horsetail
Polypody
Quillwort
Royal Fern
Figwort - Mulleins
Figwort - Speedwells
Flax
Flowering-Rush
Frog-bit
Fumitory
Gentian
Geranium
Glassworts
Gooseberry
Goosefoot
Grass 1
Grass 2
Grass 3
Grass Soft
Bromes 1

Grass Soft
Bromes 2

Grass Soft
Bromes 3

Hazel
Heath
Hemp
Herb-Paris
Holly
Honeysuckle
Horned-Pondweed
Hornwort
Iris
Ivy
Jacobs Ladder
Lily
Lily Garlic
Lime
Lobelia
Loosestrife
Mallow
Maple
Mares-tail
Marsh Pennywort
Melon (Gourd/Cucumber)
Mesem-bryanthemum
Mignonette
Milkwort
Mistletoe
Moschatel
Naiad
Nettle
Nightshade
Oleaster
Olive
Orchid 1
Orchid 2
Orchid 3
Orchid 4
Parnassus-Grass
Peaflower
Peaflower
Clover 1

Peaflower
Clover 2

Peaflower
Clover 3

Peaflower Vetches/Peas
Peony
Periwinkle
Pillwort
Pine
Pink 1
Pink 2
Pipewort
Pitcher-Plant
Plantain
Pondweed
Poppy
Primrose
Purslane
Rannock Rush
Reedmace
Rockrose
Rose 1
Rose 2
Rose 3
Rose 4
Rush
Rush Woodrushes
Saint Johns Wort
Saltmarsh Grasses
Sandalwood
Saxifrage
Seaheath
Sea Lavender
Sedge Rush-like
Sedges Carex 1
Sedges Carex 2
Sedges Carex 3
Sedges Carex 4
Spindle-Tree
Spurge
Stonecrop
Sundew
Tamarisk
Tassel Pondweed
Teasel
Thyme 1
Thyme 2
Umbellifer 1
Umbellifer 2
Valerian
Verbena
Violet
Water Fern
Waterlily
Water Milfoil
Water Plantain
Water Starwort
Waterwort
Willow
Willow-Herb
Wintergreen
Wood-Sorrel
Yam
Yew


Topic -
The following is a complete hierarchical Plant Selection Process

dependent on the Garden Style chosen
Garden Style
...Infill Plants
...12 Bloom Colours per Month Index
...12 Foliage Colours per Month Index
...All Plants Index
...Cultivation, Position, Use Index
...Shape, Form
Index


Topic -
Flower/Foliage Colour Wheel Galleries with number of colours as a high-level Plant Selection Process

All Flowers 53 with
...Use of Plant and
Flower Shape
- page links in bottom row

All Foliage 53
instead of redundant
...(All Foliage 212)


All Flowers
per Month 12


Bee instead of wind pollinated plants for hay-fever sufferers
All Bee-Pollinated Flowers
per Month
12
...Index

Rock Garden and Alpine Flowers
Rock Plant Flowers 53
INDEX
A, B, C, D, E, F,
G, H, I, J, K, L,
M, NO, PQ, R, S,
T, UVWXYZ
...Rock Plant Photos

Flower Colour Wheel without photos, but with links to photos
12 Bloom Colours
per Month Index

...All Plants Index


Topic -
Use of Plant in your Plant Selection Process

Plant Colour Wheel Uses
with
1. Perfect general use soil is composed of 8.3% lime, 16.6% humus, 25% clay and 50% sand, and
2. Why you are continually losing the SOIL STRUCTURE so your soil - will revert to clay, chalk, sand or silt.
Uses of Plant and Flower Shape:-
...Foliage Only
...Other than Green Foliage
...Trees in Lawn
...Trees in Small Gardens
...Wildflower Garden
...Attract Bird
...Attract Butterfly
1
, 2
...Climber on House Wall
...Climber not on House Wall
...Climber in Tree
...Rabbit-Resistant
...Woodland
...Pollution Barrier
...Part Shade
...Full Shade
...Single Flower provides Pollen for Bees
1
, 2, 3
...Ground-Cover
<60
cm
60-180cm
>180cm
...Hedge
...Wind-swept
...Covering Banks
...Patio Pot
...Edging Borders
...Back of Border
...Poisonous
...Adjacent to Water
...Bog Garden
...Tolerant of Poor Soil
...Winter-Flowering
...Fragrant
...Not Fragrant
...Exhibition
...Standard Plant is 'Ball on Stick'
...Upright Branches or Sword-shaped leaves
...Plant to Prevent Entry to Human or Animal
...Coastal Conditions
...Tolerant on North-facing Wall
...Cut Flower
...Potted Veg Outdoors
...Potted Veg Indoors
...Thornless
...Raised Bed Outdoors Veg
...Grow in Alkaline Soil A-F, G-L, M-R,
S-Z
...Grow in Acidic Soil
...Grow in Any Soil
...Grow in Rock Garden
...Grow Bulbs Indoors

Uses of Bedding
...Bedding Out
...Filling In
...Screen-ing
...Pots and Troughs
...Window Boxes
...Hanging Baskets
...Spring Bedding
...Summer Bedding
...Winter Bedding
...Foliage instead of Flower
...Coleus Bedding Photos for use in Public Domain 1

Uses of Bulb
...Other than Only Green Foliage
...Bedding or Mass Planting
...Ground-Cover
...Cut-Flower
...Tolerant of Shade
...In Woodland Areas
...Under-plant
...Tolerant of Poor Soil
...Covering Banks
...In Water
...Beside Stream or Water Garden
...Coastal Conditions
...Edging Borders
...Back of Border or Back-ground Plant
...Fragrant Flowers
...Not Fragrant Flowers
...Indoor
House-plant

...Grow in a Patio Pot
...Grow in an Alpine Trough
...Grow in an Alpine House
...Grow in Rock Garden
...Speciman Plant
...Into Native Plant Garden
...Naturalize in Grass
...Grow in Hanging Basket
...Grow in Window-box
...Grow in Green-house
...Grow in Scree
...Naturalized Plant Area
...Grow in Cottage Garden
...Attracts Butterflies
...Attracts Bees
...Resistant to Wildlife
...Bulb in Soil:-
......Chalk
......Clay
......Sand
......Lime-Free (Acid)
......Peat

Uses of Rose
Rose Index

...Bedding 1, 2
...Climber /Pillar
...Cut-Flower 1, 2
...Exhibition, Speciman
...Ground-Cover
...Grow In A Container 1, 2
...Hedge 1, 2
...Climber in Tree
...Woodland
...Edging Borders
...Tolerant of Poor Soil 1, 2
...Tolerant of Shade
...Back of Border
...Adjacent to Water
...Page for rose use as ARCH ROSE, PERGOLA ROSE, COASTAL CONDITIONS ROSE, WALL ROSE, STANDARD ROSE, COVERING BANKS or THORNLESS ROSES.
...FRAGRANT ROSES
...NOT FRAGRANT ROSES


Topic -
Camera Photo Galleries showing all 4000 x 3000 pixels of each photo on your screen that you can then click and drag it to your desktop as part of a Plant Selection Process:-

RHS Garden at Wisley

Plant Supports -
When supporting plants in a bed, it is found that not only do those plants grow upwards, but also they expand their roots and footpad sideways each year. Pages
1
, 2, 3, 8, 11,
12, 13,
Plants 4, 7, 10,
Bedding Plants 5,
Plant Supports for Unknown Plants 5
,
Clematis Climbers 6,
the RHS does not appear to either follow it's own pruning advice or advice from The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers by George E. Brown.
ISBN 0-571-11084-3 with the plants in Pages 1-7 of this folder. You can see from looking at both these resources as to whether the pruning carried out on the remainder of the plants in Pages 7-15 was correct.

Narcissus (Daffodil) 9,
Phlox Plant Supports 14, 15

Coleus Bedding Foliage Trial - Pages
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, Index

National Trust Garden at Sissinghurst Castle
Plant Supports -
Pages for Gallery 1

with Plant Supports
1, 5, 10
Plants
2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9,
11, 12
Recommended Rose Pruning Methods 13
Pages for Gallery 2
with Plant Supports
2
,
Plants 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Dry Garden of
RHS Garden at
Hyde Hall

Plants - Pages
without Plant Supports
Plants 1
, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Nursery of
Peter Beales Roses
Display Garden

Roses Pages
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13

Nursery of
RV Roger

Roses - Pages
A1,A2,A3,A4,A5,
A6,A7,A8,A9,A10,
A11,A12,A13,A14,
B15,
B16,B17,B18,B19,
B20,
B21,B22,B23,B24,
B25,
B26,B27,B28,B29,
B30,
C31,C32,C33,C34,
C35,
C36,C37,C38,C39,
C40,
C41,CD2,D43,D44,
D45,
D46,D47,D48,D49,
E50,
E51,E52,F53,F54,
F55,
F56,F57,G58,G59,
H60,
H61,I62,K63,L64,
M65,
M66,N67,P68,P69,
P70,
R71,R72,S73,S74,
T75,
V76,Z77, 78,

Damage by Plants in Chilham Village - Pages
1, 2, 3, 4

Pavements of Funchal, Madeira
Damage to Trees - Pages
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13
for trees 1-54,
14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
for trees 55-95,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35,
36, 37,
for trees 95-133,
38, 39, 40,
41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
for trees 133-166

Chris Garnons-Williams
Work Done - Pages
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13

Identity of Plants
Label Problems - Pages
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11

Ron and Christine Foord - 1036 photos only inserted so far - Garden Flowers - Start Page of each Gallery
AB1 ,AN14,BA27,
CH40,CR52,DR63,
FR74,GE85,HE96,

Plant with Photo Index of Ivydene Gardens - 1187
A 1, 2, Photos - 43
B 1, Photos - 13
C 1, Photos - 35
D 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
Photos - 411
with Plants causing damage to buildings in Chilham Village and Damage to Trees in Pavements of Funchal
E 1, Photos - 21
F 1, Photos - 1
G 1, Photos - 5
H 1, Photos - 21
I 1, Photos - 8
J 1, Photos - 1
K 1, Photos - 1
L 1, Photos - 85
with Label Problems
M 1, Photos - 9
N 1, Photos - 12
O 1, Photos - 5
P 1, Photos - 54
Q 1, Photos -
R 1, 2, 3,
Photos - 229
S 1, Photos - 111
T 1, Photos - 13
U 1, Photos - 5
V 1, Photos - 4
W 1, Photos - 100
with Work Done by Chris Garnons-Williams
X 1 Photos -
Y 1, Photos -
Z 1 Photos -
Articles/Items in Ivydene Gardens - 88
Flower Colour, Num of Petals, Shape and
Plant Use of:-
Rock Garden
within linked page


Topic -
Fragrant Plants as a Plant Selection Process for your sense of smell:-

Sense of Fragrance from Roy Genders

Fragrant Plants:-
Trees and Shrubs with Scented Flowers
1
, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Shrubs bearing Scented Flowers for an Acid Soil
1
, 2, 3, 4
Shrubs bearing Scented Flowers for a
Chalky or Limestone Soil
1
, 2, 3, 4
Shrubs bearing Scented leaves for a
Sandy Soil
1
, 2, 3
Herbaceous Plants with Scented Flowers
1
, 2, 3
Annual and Biennial Plants with Scented Flowers or Leaves
1
, 2
Bulbs and Corms with Scented Flowers
1
, 2, 3, 4, 5
Scented Plants of Climbing and Trailing Habit
1
, 2, 3
Winter-flowering Plants with Scented Flowers
1
, 2
Night-scented Flowering Plants
1
, 2


Topic -
Website User Guidelines


My Gas Service Engineer found Flow and Return pipes incorrectly positioned on gas boilers and customers had refused to have positioning corrected in 2020.

Topic
Remaining Topic Table is now on the left.


Plants
...Plant Selection of 6 levels with lists by:

1 - Plant Use including Bee Pollinated Plants for Hay Fever Sufferers, Groundcover and
Poisonous Plants

2 - Plants for Soil
Any, Chalk, Clay, Lime-free, Sandy, Peaty
2a Plant Requirements
2b Form - Tree Growth Shape
Columnar

2b Shrub/ Perennial Growth Habit
Mat

2c - Garden Use
Bedding

2d - Plant Type
Bulb


Refining Selection
3a - Flower Colour
Blue Flowers
Photos -
Bedding

Bulb
Climber
Evergr Per
Evergr Shrub
Wild Flower
3b - Flower Shape
Photos -
Bedding

Evergr Per
Herbac Per
3c - Foliage Colour
Large Leaves

Other

Non-Green Foliage 1
Non-Green Foliage 2
Sword-shaped Leaves

4 - Pruning Requirements
Pruning Plants

5 - 1000 Groundcover Plants
Plant Name - A

6 - Then, finally use
COMPANION PLANTING to

aid your plant selected or to
deter Pests



Topic - Plant Photo Galleries
Evergreen Shrub
...
Shrubs - Evgr
...Shrub Heathers
......Gallery,
......Species Index Page with
......Pages describing each Heather of that Species Index Page

......
Andromeda
.........Andromeda In
......
Bruckenthalia
......Calluna
.........Index AC
.........AB-AP,
.........AP-BU,
.........BU-CW,
.........
Index D-G
.........DB-FA,
.........FA-GO,
.........GO-GU,
.........
Index H-L
.........HA-IN,
.........IN-LO,
.........LO-LY,
.........
Index M-R
.........MA-PA,
.........PA-RO,
.........RO-RU,
.........
Index S-Z
.........SA-SO,
.........SP-WH,
.........WI-YV

......
Daboecia
.........Daboecia In
.........Index
.........cantabrica
.........x scotica

......
Erica: Carnea
.........Carnea Index
.........AD-JO
.........JO-RO
.........RU-WI
......
Erica: Cinerea
.........Index
.........AM-HE,
.........HO-RO,
.........RO-WI

......
Erica: Others
.........Others Index
.........Others 1
.........Others 2
.........Others 3
.........Others 4
.........
Darleyensis In
.........darleyensis 1
.........darleyensis 2
.........
Tetralix Index
.........tetralix
.........
Vagans Index
.........vagans
...Heather Shrub
...Heather Index

 

 

STAGE 4C CULTIVATION, POSITION, USE GALLERY

 

Cultivation Requirements of Plant

Outdoor / Garden Cultivation

1

Indoor / House Cultivation

1

Cool Greenhouse (and Alpine House) Cultivation with artificial heating in the Winter

1

Conservatory Cultivation with heating throughout the year

1

Stovehouse Cultivation with heating throughout the year for Tropical Plants

1

 

Sun Aspect

Full Sun

1

Part Shade

1

Full Shade

1

 

Soil Type

Any Soil

1

Chalky Soil

1

Clay Soil

1

Lime-Free Soil

1

Peaty Soil

1

Sandy Soil

1

Acid Soil

1

Alkaline Soil

1

Badly-drained Soil

1

 

Soil Moisture

Dry

1

Moist

1

Wet

1

 

Position for Plant

Back of Shady Border

1

Back of Shrub Border

1

Bedding

1

Bog Garden

1

Coastal Conditions / Seaside

1

Container in Garden

1

Front of Border

1

Ground Cover 0-24 inches (0-60 cms)

1

Ground Cover 24-72 inches (60-180 cms)

1

Ground Cover Over 72 inches (180 cms)

1

Hanging Basket

1

Hedge

1

Hedge - Thorny

1

Pollution Barrier

1

Pond

1

Pot in House, Greenhouse, Conservatory or Stovehouse

1

Raised Bed

1

Rest of Border

1

Rock Garden

1

Scree Bed

1

Speciman on Lawn

1

Sunny Border

1

Tree for Lawn

1

Tree/Shrub for Small Garden

1, 2,
3, 4,
5, 6,
7, 8,
9, 10,
11,12,
13,14,
15,16,
uses of tree/ shrub

Wildflower

1

Windbreak

1

Woodland

1

 

Use of Plant

Pollen or nectar for Bees

1

Hosts to Butterflies

1

Encouraging birds / wildlife, providing food and shelter

1

Bee-Pollinated plants for Hay Fever Sufferers

1

Berries / Fruit

1

Dry Site in Full Sun

1

Dry Shade

1

Filtering noise

1

Flower Arrange-ments

1

Fragrant Flower

1

Language of Flowers

1

Low maintenance

1

Moist Shade

1

Moist and swampy Sites

1

Nitrogen fixing plants

1

Not Fragrant Flower

1

Rabbit-Resistant

1

Speciman Plant

1

Thornless

1

Tolerant of Poor Soil

1

 

STAGE 4D
SHAPE, FORM INDEX GALLERY

Plant Foliage

Aromatic Foliage

1

Autumn Foliage

1

Finely Cut Leaves

1

Large Leaves

1

Yellow Variegated Foliage

1

White Variegated Foliage

1

Red / Purple Variegated Foliage

1

Silver, Grey and Glaucous Foliage

1

Sword-shaped Leaves

1

 

 

Flower Shape

Number of Flower Petals

Petal-less
lessershapemeadowrue2a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

1 Petal

1

2 Petals

1

3 Petals
irisflotpseudacorus1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

4 Petals
aethionemacfloarmenumfoord1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

5 Petals
anemonecflo1hybridafoord1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Above 5
anemonecflo1blandafoord1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

 

Flower Shape - Simple

Stars
anthericumcfloliliagofoord1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Bowls
 

1

Cups and Saucers
euphorbiacflo1wallichiigarnonswilliams1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Globes
paeoniamlokosewitschiiflot1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Goblets and Chalices
paeoniaveitchiiwoodwardiiflot1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Trumpets
acantholinumcflop99glumaceumfoord1a

1

Funnels
stachysflotmacrantha1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Bells
digitalismertonensiscflorvroger1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Thimbles
fuchsiaflotcalicehoffman1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Urns
ericacarneacflosspringwoodwhitedeeproot1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Salverform

phloxflotsubulatatemiskaming1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

 

Flower Shape - Elaborated

Tubes, Lips and Straps
prunellaflotgrandiflora1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Slippers, Spurs and Lockets
aquilegiacfloformosafoord1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Hats, Hoods and Helmets
acanthusspinosuscflocoblands1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Standards, Wings and Keels
lathyrusflotvernus1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Discs and Florets
brachyscomecflorigidulakevock1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Pin-Cushions
echinaceacflo1purpurealustrehybridsgarnonswilliams1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Tufts
centaureacfloatropurpureakavanagh1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Cushion
androsacecforyargongensiskevock1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Umbel
agapanthuscflos1campanulatusalbidusgarnonswilliams1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Buttons
argyranthemumflotcmadeiracrestedyellow1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Pompoms
armeriacflomaritimakevock1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

 

Natural Arrangements

Bunches, Posies, Sprays
bergeniamorningredcforcoblands1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Columns, Spikes and Spires
ajugacfloreptansatropurpurea1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Whorls, Tiers and Candelabra
lamiumflotorvala2a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Plumes and Tails
astilbepurplelancecflokevock1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

Chains and Tassels
 

1

Clouds, Garlands and Cascades
 

1

Spheres, Domes (Clusters), Plates and Drumsticks
androsacecfor1albanakevock1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1a1

1

 

STAGE 4D
SHAPE, FORM INDEX GALLERY

Shrub, Tree Shape

Columnar
ccolumnarshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Oval
covalshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Rounded or Spherical
croundedshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Flattened Spherical
cflattenedsphericalshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Narrow Conical / Narrow Pyramidal
cnarrowconicalshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Broad Conical / Broad Pyramidal
cbroadpyramidalshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Ovoid /
Egg-Shaped

ceggshapedshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Broad Ovoid
cbroadovoidshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Narrow Vase-shaped / Inverted Ovoid
cnarrowvaseshapedshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Fan-Shaped /Vase-Shaped
cfanshapedshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Broad Fan-Shaped / Broad Vase-Shaped
cbroadfanshapedshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Narrow Weeping
cnarrowweepingshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Broad Weeping
cbroadweepingshape1a1a1a1a1a1a1a

1

Palm

1

 

Conifer Cone

1

 

Form

Arching

1

Climbing

1

Clump-Forming

1

Mat-Forming

1

Mound-Forming

1

Prostrate

1

Spreading

1

Stemless

1

Upright

1

 

Poisonous Plant

1

 

STAGE 1
GARDEN STYLE INDEX GALLERY

 

Fragrant Plants adds the use of another of your 5 senses in your garden:-
Sense of Fragrance from Roy Genders

Fragrant Plants:-
Trees and Shrubs with Scented Flowers
1
, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Trees and Shrubs with Scented Leaves
1
, 2, 3, 4, 5

Trees and Shrubs with Aromatic Bark
1
, 2, 3

Shrubs bearing Scented Flowers for an
Acid Soil
1
, 2, 3, 4

Shrubs bearing Scented Flowers for a
Chalky or Limestone Soil
1
, 2, 3, 4

Shrubs bearing Scented leaves for a
Sandy Soil
1
, 2, 3

Herbaceous Plants with Scented Flowers
1
, 2, 3

Herbaceous Plants with Scented Leaves
1
, 2, 3

Annual and Biennial Plants with Scented Flowers or Leaves
1
, 2

Bulbs and Corms with Scented Flowers
1
, 2, 3, 4, 5

Scented Plants of Climbing and Trailing Habit
1
, 2, 3

Winter-flowering Plants with Scented Flowers
1
, 2

Night-scented Flowering Plants
1
, 2

Scented Aquatic Plants
1


Plants with Scented Fruits
1


Plants with Scented Roots
1
, 2

Trees and Shrubs with Scented Wood
1


Trees and Shrubs with Scented Gums
1


Scented Cacti and Succulents
1


Plants bearing Flowers or Leaves of Unpleasant Smell
1
, 2
 

 

STAGE 2
INFILL PLANT INDEX GALLERY 3

Fan-trained Shape
fantrainedshape2a1a1a1a1a1

From Rhododendrons, boxwood, azaleas, clematis, novelties, bay trees, hardy plants, evergreens : novelties bulbs, cannas novelties, palms, araucarias, ferns, vines, orchids, flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses and trees book, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Ramblers Scramblers & Twiners by Michael Jefferson-Brown (ISBN 0 - 7153 - 0942 - 0) describes how to choose, plant and nurture over 500 high-performance climbing plants and wall shrubs, so that more can be made of your garden if you think not just laterally on the ground but use the vertical support structures including the house as well.

The Gardener's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Climbers & Wall Shrubs - A Guide to more than 2000 varieties including Roses, Clematis and Fruit Trees by Brian Davis. (ISBN 0-670-82929-3) provides the lists for 'Choosing the right Shrub or Climber' together with Average Height and Spread after 5 years, 10 years and 20 years.

 

STAGE 2
INFILL PLANT INDEX GALLERIES 1, 2, 3


Gardening with Alpines by Stanley B. Whitehead. Garden Book Club.
Published in 1962. It provides most of the data about the Alpines.

Plant Solutions 1000+ suggestions for every garden situation by Nigel Colborn ISBN
13:978
0 00 719312 7, provides many of the plants for the pages in these Galleries.

Essential Annuals The 100 Best for Design and Cultivation. Text by Elizabeth Murray. Photography by Derek Fell. ISBN 0-517-66177-2, provides data about annuals.

Indoor Bulb
Growing by
Edward Pearson
. Published by Purnell & Sons, Ltd in 1953. It provides the data about Indoor Bulbs and Bulbs in
Window-boxes.

Colour All The
Year In My Garden
: A selection of choice varieties - annuals, biennials, perennials, bulbs, climbers and trees and shrubs - that will give a continuity of colour
in the garden throughout the year. Edited by C.H. Middleton. Gardening Book
from Ward, Lock & Co published in 1938, provides plant data for a calendar of plants in bloom throughout the year and for those in the smallest garden.
The Book of Bulbs by S. Arnott, F.R.H.S. Printed by
Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh in 1901. This provides data about Hardy Bulbs, Half-Hardy Bulbs, Greenhouse and Stove Bulbs.

Collins Guide to
Bulbs by Patrick
M. Synge
. ISBN
0 00 214016-0
First Edition 1961, Second Edition 1971, Reprinted 1973. This provides data on bulbs for bedding, bulbs in the border, bulbs naturalised in grass, bulbs in the woodland garden, bulbs in the rock garden, bulbs in pans in the alpine house, bulbs in the greenhouse, bulbs in bowls and the bulb frame.

Annuals & Biennials, the best annual and biennial plants and their uses in the garden by Gertrude Jekyll published in 1916 and
republished by Forgotten Books in 2012
(Forgotten Books
is a London-based book publisher specializing in the restoration of old books, both fiction and non-fiction. Today we have
372,702 books available to read online, download as ebooks, or
purchase in print.).

Cut Flowers All The Year from The New Illustrated
Gardening Encyclopedia
by Richard Sudell, printed before May 1935 for the plant names in each month, followed by details for culture and propagation.

Mr. Middleton's Garden Book by
Daily Express Publication,
reprinted 1941
for the individual
cultivar names with evergreen/
deciduous, flower colour, flower month and height.

 

STAGE 4D
SHAPE, FORM INDEX GALLERY

Tree and Shrubs in Garden Design -

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Clay Soils (neutral to slightly acid)

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Dry Acid Soils

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Shallow Soil over Chalk

Trees and Shrubs tolerant of both extreme Acidity and Alkalinity

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Damp Sites

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Industrial Areas

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Cold Exposed Areas

Trees and Shrubs suitable for Seaside Areas

Shrubs suitable for Heavy Shade

Shrubs and Climbers suitable for NORTH- and EAST-facing Walls

Shrubs suitable for Ground Cover

Trees of Pendulous Habit

Trees and Shrubs of Upright or Fastigiate Habit

Trees and Shrubs with Ornamental Bark or Twigs

Trees and Shrubs with Bold Foliage

Trees and Shrubs for Autumn Colour

Trees and Shrubs with Red or Purple Foliage

Trees and Shrubs with Golden or Yellow Foliage

Trees and Shrubs with Grey or Silver Foliage

Trees and Shrubs with Variegated Foliage

Trees and Shrubs bearing Ornamental Fruit

Trees and Shrubs with Fragrant or Scented Flowers

Trees and Shrubs with Aromatic Foliage

Flowering Trees and Shrubs for Every Month:-
Jan
, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Use of Fern

Ferns with Pendulous Fronds or Weeping Growth Habit

From Appendix 4 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

These ferns make choice specimens for container or basket culture. Thet are presented as a separate group because growers often wish to select weeping ferns for this type of container. For other basket ferns see Ferns for Hanging Baskets.

Species

Region

Adiantum caudatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Adiantum edgeworthii

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Adiantum malesianum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Adiantum philippense

Tropical

Adiantum zollingeri

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Anetium citrifolium

Tropical

Asplenium affine

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium cuneatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium flaccidum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium glaucophyllum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium harpeoides

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium laserpitiifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium mucronatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium pellucidum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium polyodon

Tropical-Temperate

Asplenium robustum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Campyloneurum angustifolium

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Drynaria rigidula

Tropical-Temperate

Drynaria rigidula 'Vidgenii'

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Drynaria rigidula 'Whitei'

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Eriosorus hispidulus

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Goniophlebium persicifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Goniophlebium persicifolium subauriculatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Goniophlebium persicifolium subauriculatum 'Knightiae'

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Goniophlebium persicifolium verrucosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum billardieri

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum carinatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum dalhousieanum

Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum dichotomum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum linifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum magnificum

Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum mexicanum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum nummularifolium

Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum orizabae

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum polytrichoides

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum pringlei

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum proliferum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum squarrosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum taxifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum tenuicaule

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lycopodium aqualupianum verticillatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis exaltata

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Robusta'

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis exaltata falcata

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis exaltata occidentalis

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis exaltata pendula

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis exaltata rivularis

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Ophioglossum pendulum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pneumatopteris laevis

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Psilotum complanatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella martensii

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Vittaria dimorpha

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Vittaria dimorpha elongata

Tropical-Temperate

Vittaria dimorpha ensiformis

Tropical-Temperate

Vittaria dimorpha graminifolia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Vittaria dimorpha lineata

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Vittaria dimorpha scolopendrina

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

 

Lime-hating Ferns (Calcifluges)

From Appendix 10 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

The following ferns resent lime and may die (or suffer badly bleached foliage) if it is included in their potting mix or added to the soil around their roots. Those marked with an asterisk * are particularly sensitive.

Species

Adiantum bradleyi

Asplenium forisiacum

Asplenium montanum

Asplenium pinnatifidum

Asplenium septentrionale

Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes

Blechnum spicant

Cryptogramma brunnoniana *

Cryptogramma brunnoniana crispa *

Dryopteris celsa

Gleichenia alpina

Gleichenia alpina dicarpa

Gleichenia alpina microphylla

Lygodium palmatum *

Oreopteris limbosperma

Phegopteris connectilis

Thelypteris palustris

Thelypteris palustris simulata

Use of Fern

Ground Cover Ferns

From Appendix 5 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

The following are either relatively small species with a spreading growth habit or are climbing ferns. All can act as a ground-cover and are useful for planting among shrubs or larger ferns. Those marked with + may die out in shady conditions. Those marked * have a strongly creeping habit.

Species

Region

Adiantum diaphanum Adiantum- Flora of North America

Temperate-Tropical

Adiantum caudatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Adiantum edgeworthii

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Adiantum formosum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Adiantum philippense

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Adiantum venustum

Temperate

Ampelopteris prolifera*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium oligophlebium Asplenium - Wikipedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Asplenium prolongatum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Asplenium rhizophyllum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium ruprechtii

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium tripteropus

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Blechnum amabile Blechnum - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum andinum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum asperum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum attenuatum*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Blechnum asplenoides

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum penna-marina

Temperate

Blechnum glandulosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum occidentale+

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum oceanicum*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Blechnum stoloniferum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bolbitis heteroclia form

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Colysis hemionitidea+

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia+
Cheilanthes - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Cheilanthes distans+

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallia bullata+ Davallia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallia tasmanii+

Temperate

Davallia trichomanoides+

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Doodia aspera Doodia - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

Doodia media

Tropical-Temperate

Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Gymnocarpium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Hypolepis sparsisora+

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Lastreopsis munita Lastreopsis - Wikipedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Microsorum diversifolium

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia confluens+

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Pyrrosia hastata+

Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia lingua+

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia rupestris+

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Pyrrosia serpens+

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella australiensis Selaginella - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella brisbanensis

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Selaginella emmelliana

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella flabellata

Tropical

Selaginella helvetica

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella kraussiana and cultivars

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Selaginella longipinna

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella martensii

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Selaginella mollis

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Selaginella nipponica

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella plumosa

Tropical

Selaginella serpens

Semi-Tropical

Selaginella sibirica

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella substipitata

Semi-Tropical

Selaginella umbrosa

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Selaginella uncinita

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Stenochlaena palustris* Stenochlaena - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Stenochlaena tenuifolia*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Teratophyllum brightiae*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

 

 

 

See
Ferns in Britain and Ireland
or the

British Pteridological Society
for further details and photos.

Mail Order UK Fern Nursery
Shady Plants has ferns for
Vertical Fern Gardens and Companion Plants for growing with Ferns.

 

 

 

If you grow and sell ferns, please tell me so that I can put them on this website and inform others where they can be bought online via mail-order.

The remarkable sex life of ferns:-

  • Formation of spores in the capsule (sporangia) underneath a fertile leaf.
  • When they are ripe, the millions of spores are thrown out by the sporangia when it bursts open.
  • A spore that lands on good soil (moist and light) produces a prothallium (of approximately 6mm) onto which male and female organs develop. The spermatozoa from the male organ swim across moisture to fertilise the eggs.
  • On the prothallium the impregnated egg creates a new plant which takes root; the first leaves have an aberrant shape.

 

Cold-Hardy Ferns

From Appendix 8 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

The following ferns will succeed very well in temperate regions. Those marked with an * are very hardy to frosts or snow and so are suitable for the British Isles.

Adiantum aethiopicum* Adiantum- Flora of North America

Adiantum capillus-junonis. Care of Adiantum (Maidenhair) Ferns

Adiantum capillus-veneris*

Adiantum diaphanum

Adiantum formosum

Adiantum hispidulum

Adiantum pedatum*

Adiantum raddianum

Adiantum venustum*

Allantodia australis

Allantodia squamigera

Arachniodes aristata

Arachniodes simplicior

Arachniodes standishii

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum* Asplenium - Wikipedia

Asplenium australasicum

Asplenium bulbiferum*

Asplenium fissum*

Asplenium flabellifolium

Asplenium flaccidum

Asplenium fontanum*

Asplenium hookerianum*

Asplenium marinum

Asplenium oblongifolium

Asplenium platyneuron

Asplenium richardii

Asplenium ruta-muraria

Asplenium sarelii

Asplenium scleroprium

Asplenium scolopendrium and cultivars

Asplenium septentrionale*

Asplenium trichomanes*

Asplenium viride*

Athyrium asplenoides Athyrium - Wikipedia

Athyrium brevifrons

Athyrium deltoidofrons

Athyrium distentifolium

Athyrium filix-femina and cultivars

Athyrium flexile

Athyrium niponicum var pictum

Athyrium otophorum

Athyrium spinulosum

Blechnum capense Blechnum - Wikipedia

Blechnum chilense

Blechnum discolor*

Blechnum fluviatile*

Blechnum lanceolatum

Blechnum magellanicum

Blechnum minus*

Blechnum nudum*

Blechnum patersonii

Blechnum penna-marina*

Blechnum procerum*

Blechnum spicant*

Blechnum tabulare*

Blechnum vulcanicum*

Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia*
Cheilanthes - Wikipedia

Cheilanthes distans

Cheilanthes gracillima

Coniogramme japonica

Cornopteris crenulatoserrulatum

Cryptogramma crispa*

Culcita dubia*

Cyathea australis* Cyathea - Wikipedia

Cyathea brownii

Cyathea colunsoi*

Cyathea cunninghamii

Cyathea dealbata

Cyathea medullaris

Cyathea smithii*

Cyathea woolsiana

Cyrtomium caryotideum Cyrtomium - Wikipedia

Cyrtomium falcatum

Cyrtomium fortunei

Cystopteris bulbifera*

Cystopteris fragilis*

Davallia canariensis Davallia - Wikipedia

Davallia mariesii*

Davallia tasmanii

Davallia trichomanoides

Dennstaedtia davallioides

Dennstaedtia punctiloba*

Dicksonia antarctica* Dicksonia - Wikipedia

Dicksonia fibrosa*

Dicksonia lanata*

Dicksonia squarrosa*

Diplazium assimile Diplazium - Wikipedia

Diplazium sibiricum*

Diplazium subsinuatum

Diplazium tomitaroanum

Doodia aspera* Doodia - Wikipedia

Doodia caudata

Doodia media*

Dryopteris aemula Dryopteris - Wikipedia

Dryopteris affinis and cultivars

Dryopteris assimilis*

Dryopteris carthusiana*

Dryopteris clintoniana

Dryopteris cycadina

Dryopteris dilatata

Dryopteris erythrosora

Dryopteris filix-mas and cultivars

Dryopteris goldiana

Dryopteris intermedia

Dryopteris marginalis

Dryopteris oreades

Dryopteris sieboldii

Dryopteris submontana

Gymnocarpium dryopteris*
Gymnocarpium - Wikipedia

Gymnocarpium robertianum

Histiopteris incisa*

Hypolepis australe

Hypolepis millefolium

Hypolepis punctata

Hypolepis rugosula

Lastreopsis acuminata* Lastreopsis - Wikipedia

Lastreopsis decomposita

Lastreopsis glabella

Lastreopsis hispida

Lastreopsis microsora

Lastreopsis munita

Lastreopsis velutina

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum

Leptolepia novae-zealandiae

Leptopteris hymenophylloides

Leptopteris superba

Lunathyrium japonicum

Lunathyrium thelypterioides

Nephrolepis cordifolia

Onoclea sensibilis

Osmunda cinnamomea Osmunda - Wikipedia

Osmunda claytoniana

Osmunda regalis and cultivars

Paesia scaberula

Pellaea atropurpurea

Pellaea falcata

Pellaea rotundifolia

Pellaea viridis

Phegopteris connectilis

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Polypodium australe Polypodium - Wikipedia

Polypodium formosanum

Polypodium glycyrrhiza

Polypodium polypodioides

Polypodium scouleri

Polypodium vulgare and cultivars

Polystichum acrostichoides* Polystichum - Wikipedia

Polystichum aculeatum* and cultivars

Polystichum andersonii

Polystichum braunii

Polystichum cystostegia*

Polystichum lonchitis

Polystichum munitum*

Polystichum polyblepharum*

Polystichum proliferum*

Polystichum retroso-paleaceum

Polystichum richardii

Polystichum setiferum*

Polystichum tsus-simense

Polystichum vestitum

Pseudocystopteris atkinsonii

Pseudocystopteris spinulosum

Pteris comans Pteris - Wikipedia

Pteris cretica and cultivars

Pteris macilenta

Pteris multifida

Pteris tremula

Pteris umbrosa

Pteris vittata

Rumora adiantiformis

Selaginella helvetica Selaginella - Wikipedia

Selaginella kraussiana*

Selaginella wallacei

Thelypteris palustris

Thelypteris simulata Thelypteris - Wikipedia

Todea barbara* Todea - Wikipedia

Woodsia alpina* Woodsia - Wikipedia

Woodsia ilvensis

Woodsia obtusa

Woodwardia areolata Woodwardia - Wikipedia

Woodwardia fimbriata*

Woodwardia orientalis

Woodwardia radicans

Woodwardia virginica*

 

Ferns for Hanging Baskets

From Chapter 21 - Specialized containers and systems of culture, and Appendix 3 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-


The following ferns are suitable for cultivation in baskets and similar containers in the regions specified. Those with a creeping habit of growth are marked with an *. See With Pendulous Fronds Page for a list of ferns with pendulous fronds.

Species

Region

Adiantum diaphanum* Adiantum- Flora of North America

Tropical-Temperate

Aglaomorpha meyeniana

Tropical-Temperate

Anarthropteris lanceolata*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium aethiopicum Asplenium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium alatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium attenuatum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Asplenium auritum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium belangeri

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium bulbiferum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium cristatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium cuneatum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium daucifolium

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium flabellifolium

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium lamprocaulon

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium normale

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium paleacum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium radicans

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium serra

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium serratum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Asplenium simplicifrons

Tropical-Temperate

Belvisia mucronata*

Tropical-Temperate

Blechnum fluviatile Blechnum - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum occidentale

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Campyloneurum latum Campyloneurum - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Campyloneurum phyllitidis

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Campyloneurum radicans

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Colysis ampla*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Colysis hemionitidea*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Colysis sayeri*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Cyrtomium caryotideum Cyrtomium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Cyrtomium falcatum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Cyrtomium macrophyllum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallia bullata* Davallia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallia canariensis*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallia corniculata*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia denticulata*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia divaricata*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia embolostegia*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia epiphylla*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia fejeeensis*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia mariesii*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia pyxidata*

Tropical-Temperate

Davallia solida*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Davallia tasmanii*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallia trichomanoides*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Davallodes hirsutum*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Dictymia brownii

Tropical-Temperate

Dictymia macrocarpa*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Dictymia percussa*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium australe and cultivars*
Polypodium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium chnoodes*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium dissimile*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium formosanum*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Polypodium fraxinifolium*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium glaucophyllum*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium loriceum*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium pectinatum*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium plumula*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium polypodioides*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium sanctae-rosae*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium scouleri*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Polypodium thyssanolepis*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium triseriale*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Polypodium vulgare and cultivars

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Polystichum lentum Polystichum - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Pseudodrynaria coronans

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Psilotum nudum

Tropical-Temperate

Pteris ensiformis and cultivars Pteris - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

Pteris multifida and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

Pyrrosia confluens*

Tropical-Temperate

Pyrrosia hastata*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia lanceolata*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia lingua and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

Pyrrosia longifolia*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia nummularifolia*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia piloselloides

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia polydactylis*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia rupestris*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Pyrrosia serpens*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Rumora adiantiformis*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Sadleria cyatheoides

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Scyphularia pentaphylla*

Tropical-Temperate

Scyphularia triphylla*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Selliguea feei*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Stenochlaena palustris*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Stenochlaena tenuifolia*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Woodwardia orientalis Woodwardia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

 

 

 

Ferns Suitable for Outdoor Containers

From Chapter 19 - Ferns for containers, indoors and out, and Appendix 6 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-


Most of the fern species listed below need a protected part shade situation. Those marked with an * can be tolerant of exposure to Full Sun.

Fern Species

Region

Comments

Adiantum macrophyllum Adiantum- Flora of North America

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Fronds erect

Adiantum peruvianum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Arching fronds

Adiantum polyphyllum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Spreading

Adiantum trapeziforme

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Spreading

Angiopteris evecta

Tropical-Temperate

Needs plenty of water

Arachniodes aristata

Tropical-Temperate

Very hardy

Arachniodes standishii

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Very attractive

Asplenium australasicum* Asplenium - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

Excellent

Asplenium bulbiferum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Do not overpot, arching fronds

Asplenium cymbifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Sensitive to cold

Asplenium daucifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Fine and lacy

Asplenium dimorphum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Variable fronds

Asplenium milnei

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Shiny fronds

Asplenium musifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Erect rosette

Asplenium nidus*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Cold sensitive

Asplenium oblongifolium

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Dense

Asplenium scleroprium*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Dense, leathery

Asplenium simplicifrons

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Rosette of narrow fronds

Athyrium filix-femina and cultivars Athyrium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

May be Deciduous

Blechnum braziliense
Blechnum - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Attractive

Blechnum capense

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Blechnum cartilagineum*

Tropical-Temperate

Hardy

Blechnum gibbum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Attractive

Blechnum nudum

Temperate-Tropical

Needs plenty of water

Blechnum orientale

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Cibotium glaucum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Forms trunk

Coniogramme intermedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Dark fronds

Culcita dubia*

Tropical-Temperate

Very hardy

Cyathea australis*
Cyathea - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Very hardy

Cyathea brownii*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Fast

Cyathea capensis

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Cyathea celebica

Tropical-Temperate

Prickly

Cyathea contaminans*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Fast

Cyathea cooperi*

Tropical-Temperate

Fast

Cyathea dealbata

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Excellent

Cyathea dregei

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Cyathea medullaris*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Fast

Cyathea rebeccae

Tropical-Temperate

Excellent

Cyathea robusta

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Decorative

Cyathea woollsiana

Tropical-Temperate

Excellent

Dicksonia antarctica*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Very hardy

Dicksonia fibrosa
Dicksonia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Very hardy

Dicksonia sellowiana

Semi-Tropical

Slender

Dicksonia squarrosa*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Very hardy

Dicksonia youngiae

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Attractive

Didymochlaena truncatula

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lovely fronds

Diplazium dilatatum
Diplazium - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

Arching fronds

Diplazium werckleanum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Dark fronds

Drynaria quercifolia*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Very hardy

Dryopteris affinis

Dryopteris - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Dryopteris filix-mas

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

May be deciduous

Lastreopsis decomposita Lastreopsis - Wikipedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Hardy

Lastreopsis marginans

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Shiny fronds

Lastreopsis microsora

Tropical-Temperate

Hardy

Lastreopsis velutina

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Soft fronds

Leucostegia immersa

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Coarse mix

Leucostegia pallida

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Coarse mix

Marattia salicina

Tropical-Temperate

Hardy

Microlepia firma

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Microlepia hirta

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Microlepia playtphylla

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Tall

Microlepia speluncae

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Soft fronds

Microlepia strigosa

Tropical-Temperate

Graceful

Microsorum pappei

Tropical-Temperate

Slowly spreading

Microsorum punctatum* and cultivars

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Hardy

Nephrolepis biserrata and cultivars Nephrolepis - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

needs plenty of water

Nephrolepis cordifolia* and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

hardy

Nephrolepis exaltata* (larger cultivars)

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Nephrolepis falcata* and cultivars

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Nephrolepis hirsutula*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Nephrolepis obliterata*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Niphidium crassifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

coarse mix

Osmunda regalis
Osmunda - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

deciduous

Phlebodium aureum and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

coarse mix

Phymatosorus diversifolius

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Phymatosorus longissimus

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

coarse mix

Phymatosorus nigrescens

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

coarse mix

Phymatosorus parksii*

Tropical-Temperate

bushy clump

Phymatosorus scolopendria

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

coarse mix

Pityrogramma calomelanos*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

very hardy

Polystichum aculeatum
Polystichum - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

fronds harsh

Polystichum proliferum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Polystichum retroso-paleacum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dark, glossy green

Polystichum setiferum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

fronds spreading

Polystichum vestitum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

fronds harsh

Pseudodrynaria coronans*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

coarse mix

Pteris biaurita Pteris - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Pteris hendersonii

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

attractive

Pteris microptera

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

hardy

Pteris pacifica

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

shiny fronds

Pteris quadriaurita

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

large

Pteris tripartita

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

large

Pteris umbrosa

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

bushy

Pteris wallichiana

Tropical-Temperate

large

Rumora adiantiformis* (Cape form)

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

large, very hardy

Woodwardia fimbriata
Woodwardia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

erect

Woodwardia orientalis

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

spreading fronds

Woodwardia radicans

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

hardy

 

Ferns for Wet Soils

From Appendix 7 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

Acrostichum aureum Acrostichum - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Acrostichum danaeifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Acrostichum speciosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Allantantodia australis

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Ampelopteris prolifera*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Angiopteris evecta

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Athyrium filix-femina Athyrium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum articulatum Blechnum - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

Blechnum capense

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum discolor*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum fluviatile

Temperate

Blechnum indicum*

Tropical-Temperate

Blechnum lanceolatum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum minus*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum nudum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum patersonii

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum serrulatum*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Blechnum wattsii*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Blotiella lindeniana

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Cyathea australis* Cyathea - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Cyathea smithii*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Cyclosorus interruptus*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Dennstaedtia davallioides*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Dicksonia antarctica* Dicksonia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Dicksonia herbertii*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Diplazium dietrichianum* Diplazium - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Diplazium dilatatum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Diplazium esculentum*

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Diplazium riparium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Equisetum myriochaetum*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Helminthostachys zeylanica*

Tropical

Histiopteris incisa*

Temperate-Tropical

Hypolepis punctata*

Temperate-Tropical

Hypolepis rugosula

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Lunathyrium japonicum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Lygodium circinnatum Lygodium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Lygodium flexuosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Lygodium microphyllum*

Tropical-Temperate

Marattia salicina

Tropical-Temperate

Microlepia speluncae

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Nephrolepis biserrata* Nephrolepis - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Onoclea sensibilis*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Osmunda cinnamomea* Osmunda - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Osmunda regalis*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Parathelypteris beddomei*

Tropical

Pilularia globifera

Temperate

Plagiogyria pectinata

Semi-Tropical

Pseumatopteris pennigera

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Pseumatopteris sogerensis

Tropical-Temperate

Pseudophegopteris paludosa

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Pteris comans* Pteris - Wikipedia

Temperate

Pteris umbrosa*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Selaginella kraussiana Selaginella - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Thelypteris confluens* Thelypteris - Wikipedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Todea barbara* Todea - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Woodwardia virginica Woodwardia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

 

Lime-hating Ferns (Calcifluges)

From Appendix 10 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

The following ferns resent lime and may die (or suffer badly bleached foliage) if it is included in their potting mix or added to the soil around their roots. Those marked with an asterisk * are particularly sensitive.

Species

Adiantum bradleyi

Asplenium forisiacum

Asplenium montanum

Asplenium pinnatifidum

Asplenium septentrionale

Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes

Blechnum spicant

Cryptogramma brunnoniana *

Cryptogramma brunnoniana crispa *

Dryopteris celsa

Gleichenia alpina

Gleichenia alpina dicarpa

Gleichenia alpina microphylla

Lygodium palmatum *

Oreopteris limbosperma

Phegopteris connectilis

Thelypteris palustris

Thelypteris palustris simulata

 

Ferns found on Limestone or Basic Soils (Calciphiles)

"The following fern species are recorded as growing on limestone, or in basic soils. They are presented here as an aid to understanding their cultivation requirements, as lime may be necessary for their successful growth. Some species only occur sporadically on limestone, others grow on it commonly and are marked *" from Appendix 9 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1.

Adenoderris glandulosa

Adenoderris sororia

Actiniopteris radiata

Actiniopteris braunii*

Adiantum capillus-veneris*

Adiantum caudatum Adiantum- Flora of North America

Adiantum fragile

Adiantum incisum

Adiantum malesianum*

Adiantum melanoleucum

Adiantum philippense

Adiantum reniforme*

Adiantum resiliens

Adiantum soboliferum*

Adiantum stenochlamys*

Adiantum tenerum*

Adiantum tricholepis

Adiantum wilesianum*

Adiantum zollingeri*

Adiantopsis paupercula*

Adiantopsis pedata*

Anemia adiantifolia*

Anemia cicutaria

Anemia mexicana

Anemia speciosa

Anemia wrightii

Anopteris hexagona

Arcypteris irregularis

Asplenium adiantoides* Asplenium - Wikipedia

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum

Asplenium ceterach*

Asplenium cristatum

Asplenium dentatum

Asplenium ebenoides

Asplenium fissum

Asplenium fontanum

Asplenium heterochroum

Asplenium hoffmannii

Asplenium lepidum

Asplenium macrophyllum

Asplenium majoricum

Asplenium milnei

Asplenium myriophyllum

Asplenium olivaceum

Asplenium palmeri

Asplenium pellucidum

Asplenium phyllitidis

Asplenium pumilum

Asplenium resiliens

Asplenium rhizophyllum*

Asplenium ruta-muraria*

Asplenium salignum

Asplenium scolopendrium

Asplenium seelosii

Asplenium squamulatum*

Asplenium tenerum

Asplenium trichomanes

Asplenium trichomanes-dentatum*

Asplenium unilaterale

Asplenium viride

Athyrium pinnatum Athyrium - Wikipedia

Athyrium prescottianum

Blechnum finlaysonianum Blechnum - Wikipedia

Bolbitis aliena*

Bolbitis portoricensis

Bommeria hispida*

Bommeria pedata*

Ceterach cordatum

Cheilanthes alabamensis*
Cheilanthes - Wikipedia

Cheilanthes candida

Cheilanthes eatonii

Cheilanthes farinosa*

Cheilanthes feei

Cheilanthes horridula

Cheilanthes induta

Cheilanthes leucopoda*

Cheilanthes marlothii

Cheilanthes microphylla*

Cheilanthes pteridiodes

Cheilanthes rufa

Cheilanthes scariosa*

Cheilanthes villosa

Christella dentata

Christata parasitica

Crypsinus enervis

Cryptogramma stelleri

Ctenitis hirta*

Ctenitis sloanei

Cyclopeltis crenata

Cyclopeltis semicordata

Cyrtomium auriculatum Cyrtomium - Wikipedia

Cyrtomium falcatum*

Cyrtomium juglandifolium

Cystopteris bulbifera

Cystopteris fragilis

Davallia denticulata

Davallia solida Davallia - Wikipedia

Diplazium cordifolium Diplazium - Wikipedia

Diplazium esculentum

Diplazium montanum

Doryopteris allenae*

Doryopteris concolor

Doryopteris ludens*

Doryopteris papuana*

Drynaria bonii*

Drynaria quercifolia

Drynaria rigidula

Drynaria sparsisora

Dryopteris ludoviciana Dryopteris - Wikipedia

Dryopteris submontana

Dryopteris villari

Gymnocarpium robertianum*

Hemionitis arifolia

Heterogonium alderwereltii*

Heterogonium pinnatum*

Humata heterophylla

Humata pectinata

Hypodematium crenatum

Hypodematium fauriei

Lemmaphyllum accedens

Lepisorus longifolius

Leptochilus decurrens

Llavea cordifolia

Loxogramme avenia

Loxogramme scolopendrina

Lygodium polystachyum*

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Microgramma heterophyllum

Microlepia speluncae

Microsorum musifolium

Microsorum punctatum

Neocheiropteris palmatopedata

Nephelea fulgens

Nephelea woodwardioides

Nephrolepis biserrata Nephrolepis - Wikipedia

Nephrolepis dicksonioides*

Nephrolepis falcata

Nephrolepis hirsutula

Nephrolepis radicans

Notholaena aschenborniana* Notholaena - Wikipedia

Notholaena candida*

Notholaena dealbata

Notholaena formosa*

Notholaena grayi*

Notholaena greggii*

Notholaena limitanea

Notholaena neglecta*

Notholaena parvifolia*

Notholaena rigida*

Notholaena sinuata*

Notholaena standleyi

Odontosoria clavata

Oleandra undulata

Ophioglossum englemanii

Pellaea atropurpurea* Pellaea - Wikipedia

Pellaea breweri

Pellaea dolomiticola*

Pellaea glabella

Pellaea intermedia

Pellaea ovata*

Pellaea pringlei

Pellaea sagittata*

Pellaea ternifolia*

Photinopteris speciosa

Phymatosorus nigrescens

Phymatosorus scolopendria

Pityrogramma calomelanos

Pneumatopteris pennigera

Polypodium australe Polypodium - Wikipedia

Polypodium dispersum

Polypodium papillosum

Polypodium plumula

Polypodium ptilodon

Polypodium vulgare

Polystichum aculeatum Polystichum - Wikipedia

Polystichum echinatum*

Polystichum christianae*

Polystichum harrisae*

Polystichum lindsaeifolium*

Polystichum triangulum

Pterideum aquilinum Pterideum - Wikipedia

Pterideum aquilinum var. caudatum

Pterideum aquilinum var. feei

Pterideum esculentum

Pteridrys syrmatica

Pteris bahamensis* Pteris - Wikipedia

Pteris cretica*

Pteris ensiformis

Pteris longifolia

Pteris longipinnula*

Pteris mertensioides

Pteris multifida

Pteris scabripes

Pteris tripartita

Pteris vittata*

Pyrrosia floccigera

Pyrrosia lanceolata

Pyrrosia penangiana*

Pyrrosia stigmosa*

Pyrrosia varia

Selaginella lepidophylla* Selaginella - Wikipedia

Selaginella pilifera*

Sphenomeris clavata

Taenitis blechnoides

Tectaria x amesiana Tectaria - Wikipedia

Tectaria amplifolia*

Tectaria barberi

Tectaria devexa*

Tectaria griffithii

Tectaria heracleifolia*

Tectaria incisa

Tectaria lobata*

Tectaria macrodonta

Tectaria pedata*

Tectaria variolosa

Thelypteris augescens Thelypteris - Wikipedia

Thelypteris blanda

Thelypteris guadalupensis*

Thelypteris immersa

Thelypteris leptoclada*

Thelypteris ovata

Thelypteris pilosa

Thelypteris reptans*

Thelypteris resiliens

Thelypteris toganetra

Thelypteris tuerckheimii

Vittaria angustifolia Vittaria - Wikipedia

Vittaria elongata

Woodsia fragilis Woodsia - Wikipedia

Woodsia glabella

 

Ferns Suitable for Indoor Decoration

From Chapter 19 - Ferns for containers, indoors and out, and Appendix 1 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

Species

Region

Light Tolerance

Comments

Adiantum capillus-veneris Adiantum- Flora of North America

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

Can be tricky

Adiantum capillus-veneris 'Banksianum'

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

Excellent indoors

Adiantum capillus-veneris 'Fimbriatum'

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

deeply cut fronds

Adiantum capillus-veneris 'Imbricatum'

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

cascading fronds

Adiantum capillus-veneris 'Scintilla'

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

shallow pot

Adiantum raddianum

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

an adaptable species

Adiantum raddianum 'Elegans'

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Adiantum raddianum 'Fragrantissimum'

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

vigorous grower

Adiantum raddianum 'Fritz Luth'

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

very popular

Adiantum raddianum 'Gracillimum'

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

finely divided fronds

Adiantum raddianum 'Lawsonianum'

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Adiantum raddianum 'Pacific Maid'

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

best in tropics

Adiantum raddianum 'Weigandii'

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Adiantum tenerum

Tropical

Bright

good in tropics

Adiantum tenerum 'Fergusonii'

Tropical

Bright

strong grower

Adiantum tenerum

Tropical

Bright

good in tropics

Adiantum tenerum 'Fergusonii'

Tropical

Bright

strong grower

Adiantum tenerum 'Gloriosum Roseum'

Tropical

Bright

attractive fern

Adiantum tenerum 'Scutum Roseum'

Tropical

Bright

pink new growth

Asplenium australasicum Asplenium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

grows large, hardy

Asplenium bulbiferum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very adaptable

Asplenium cymbifolium

Tropical

Bright

grows large

Asplenium daucifolium

Temperate-Tropical

dull-bright

very adaptable

Asplenium dimorphum

Temperate-Tropical

dull-bright

very adaptable

Asplenium musifolium

Tropical

Bright

grows large

Asplenium nidus

Tropical

Bright

grows large

Asplenium oblongifolium

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy

Asplenium laserpitifolium

Tropical

Bright

difficult subject

Asplenium shuttleworthianum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very adaptable

Asplenium simplicifrons

Temperate-Tropical

dull-bright

very adaptable

Blechnum articulatum Blechnum - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

adaptable

Blechnum braziliense

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

hardy and adaptable

Blechnum gibbum

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

very attractive

Blechnum moorei

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

seems hardy

Blechnum occidentale

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

colourful new growth

Cyrtomium caryotideum Cyrtomium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Tropical

Bright

attractive

Cyrtomium falcatum and cultivars

Temperate-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy and acceptable

Cyrtomium macrophyllum

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

adaptable

Davallia bullata

Davallia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very hardy

Davallia fejeensis

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

beautiful

Davallia mariesii

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very hardy

Davallia solida

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

Bright

adaptable

Davallia trichomanoides

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very hardy

Dicksonia antarctica

Dicksonia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very hardy

Didymochlaena truncatula

Semi-Tropical-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy and adaptable

Doryopteris pedata

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

can be difficult

Drynaria quercifolia

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

hardy

Dryopteris affinis

Dryopteris - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy

Dryopteris filix-mas

Wild Flower Gallery Dryopteris filix-mas

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy

Goniophlebium persicifolium

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

adaptable

Goniophlebium subauriculatum Goniophlebium - The Plant List

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

hardy

Goniophlebium verrucosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

difficult

Humata griffithiana

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Bright

hardy, deciduous

Humata tyermanii

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Bright

very attractive

Llavea cordifolia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy

Lycopodium phlegmaria Lycopodium - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

difficult

Lycopodium phlegmaroides

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

difficult

Lycopodium squarrosum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

difficult

Lygodium flexuosum Lygodium - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Lygodium japonicum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Lygodium microphyllum

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

hardy

Macrothelypteris polypodioides

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

attractive

Microlepia strigosa and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

 

attractive

Microsorum punctatum and cultivars

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

very hardy

Nephrolepis biserrata Nephrolepis - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

grows large

Nephrolepis cordifolia and cultivars

Temperate-Tropical

dull-bright

very hardy and adaptable

Nephrolepis exaltata and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

dull-bright

hardy

Nephrolepis falcata 'Furcans'

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

decorative

Onoclea sensibilis

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

pale colour

Pellaea falcata
Pellaea - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Pellaea rotundifolia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

very rewarding

Pellaea viridis

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

difficult

Phlebodium aureum and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

hardy

Phymatosorus parksii

Tropical-Temperate

dull-bright

hardy

Polypodium australe and cultivars
Polypodium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Polypodium formosanum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

popular

Polypodium vulgare and cultivars

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

hardy

Polystichum lentum Polystichum - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

spreading habit

Polystichum retroso-paleaceum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

shiny fronds

Polystichum tsus-simense

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

upright tussock

Pteris cretica and cultivars Pteris - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

colourful and interesting

Pteris ensiformis and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

compact

Pteris tremula

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

Bright

light green fronds

Pyrrosia confluens

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

dull-bright

hardy

Pyrrosia longifolia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

cold sensitive

Pyrrosia rupestris

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

dull-bright

hardy

Pyrrosia serpens

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

hardy

Rumora adiantiformis

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

very hardy

Sadleria cyatheoides

Tropical-Temperate

Bright

very decorative

Scyhularia pentaphylla

Tropical-Temperate

dull-bright

coarse mix

Scyhularia pycnocarpa

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

coarse mix

Selaginella kraussiana

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

spreading

Stenochlaena palustris

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

dull-bright

adaptable

Tectaria heracleifolia Tectaria - Wikipedia

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

Bright

interesting subject

Woodwardia orientalis Woodwardia - Wikipedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Bright

large

Woodwardia radicans

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

Bright

large

 

Terrarium

Terrariums are mini indoor gardens that are perfect for people who want to decorate their home or office with houseplants, but don't have a lot of time to care for them.

Instructions to make your own terrarium from ehow.com:-

  • Select a glass container. Large jars, compotes or aquariums are all excellent choices for building a terrarium. Make sure to clean it well with hot, soapy water before you start.
  • Next you want to create the terrarium's drainage layer. Layer about an inch of large pea gravel in the bottom of the container. If the container has a narrow opening, create a funnel with the paper, then pour the gravel through the funnel and use a chopstick to move the gravel into place. Add a ½-inch layer of ground charcoal over the gravel.
  • Pour 2 to 3 inches of fresh potting soil over the drainage layer. Use a sterilized soil mix. The soil and drainage layer should take up about 1/4 of the terrarium container's space.
  • Select small plants that all require the same type of care. For example, use all tropical sun-loving or all drought-tolerant plants. Never mix plants with different growing requirements.
  • Think about how you want to place the plants within the container. Taller plants should go in the back of the jar and shorter ones in the front. Dig planting holes in the soil with a chopstick or your hand if it fits through the container's opening.
  • Remove the plants from their containers. Trim off any yellow or brown foliage. Remove any extra soil from around the roots, then tease the roots apart gently, and place the plants into the planting holes. Cover the roots with soil and gently firm the soil around each plant.
  • Water the terrarium after all the plants are in place. Use a funnel to wash the sides of the terrarium as you water.
  • If you created a tropical terrarium, you have the option of covering the jar with a lid or glass dish. This step will seal the environment and create a miniature rain forest. Just be aware that sealed terrariums are at risk of overheating if placed near a sunny window. Skip this step if you used drought tolerant plants, such as cacti and succulents, as it will create too humid an environment for them.
  • Tips and warnings :-
  • Some plants that do well in terrariums are African violets,ferns and hypoestes. Others are listed in the Garden Helper.
  • Moisture will appear on the inside of the jar. Crack the lid for a few hours to allow some moisture to escape.
  • Use very little fertilizer - you want to keep the plants small and not encourage new growth.
  • Don't overwater. The plants will create their own moisture through evaporation. When the sides of the glass are dry and no moisture is evident inside the jar, water sparingly.

From Chapter 21 - Specialized containers and systems of culture, and Appendix 2 of The Encyclopaedia of Ferns An Introduction to Ferns, their Structure, Biology, Economic Importance, Cultivation and Propagation by David L. Jones ISBN 0 88192 054 1:-

The following species are small enough for cultivation in terrariums. Those suitable only for larger terrariums are marked with an *. The list includes creeping ferns as well as those with a clumping growth habit. Some ferns dislike excessive humidity but will succeed well in a drier terrarium. These are indicated under comments.

Species

Region

Comments

Actiniopteris semiflabella

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

excellent

Adiantum capillus-veneris* Adiantum- Flora of North America

Tropical-Temperate

needs lime

Adiantum diaphanum

Tropical-Temperate

excellent, spreading habit

Adiantum hispidulum

Tropical-Temperate

performs well

Adiantum raddianum* and cultivars

Tropical-Temperate

smaller growing cultivars

Adiantum reniforme

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

likes dry atmosphere best

Anarthropteris lanceolata

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

spreading habit

Anogramma chaerophylla

Tropical-Temperate

fast growing, may naturalize

Anogramma leptophylla

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

likes drier atmosphere

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum* Asplenium - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

performs well

Asplenium alternans

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

drier atmosphere, alkaline mix

Asplenium attenuatum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

likes drier atmosphere

Asplenium aureum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

clumping

Asplenium capillipes

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

small clump

Asplenium cardiophyllum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

tiny creeping species

Asplenium ceterach

Temperate

drier atmosphere, alkaline mix

Asplenium cheilosorum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

creeping habit

Asplenium flabellifolium

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

spreading habit

Asplenium formosum*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

clumping

Asplenium hookerianum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

delicate fronds

Asplenium normale

Tropical-Temperate

clumping

Asplenium oligophlebium

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

clumping

Asplenium pekinense

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

small clumps

Asplenium prolongatum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

tip rooting

Asplenium rhizophyllum

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

needs lime, tip rooting

Asplenium ruprechtii

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

tip rooting

Asplenium ruta-muraria

Temperate

needs lime

Asplenium septentrionale

Temperate

small clumps

Asplenium trichomanes

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

needs lime

Asplenium tripteropus

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

proliferous

Asplenium varians

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

small clump

Asplenium viride

Temperate

needs lime

Blechnum chambersii*
Blechnum - Wikipedia

Temperate

erect clump

Blechnum fluviatile

Temperate

flat clump

Blechnum membranaceum

Temperate

neat grower

Blechnum penna-marina

Temperate

spreading habit

Blechnum spicant and cultivars

Temperate

small clumps

Bolbitis heteroclita form

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

spreading mossy carpet

Callistopteris bauerana

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

finely divided fronds

Cardiomanes reniforme

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

appealing fronds

Cheilanthes argentea
Cheilanthes - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

needs dry atmosphere

Cheilanthes austroteniufolia*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

spreading, adaptable

Cheilanthes californica

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

needs dry atmosphere

Cheilanthes covillei

Temperate

needs dry atmosphere

Cheilanthes distans

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

spreading, adaptable

Cheilanthes sieberi

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

spreading adaptable

Cystopteris bulbifera

Temperate

may naturalize

Cystopteris fragilis

Temperate

delicate fronds

Diplazium subsinuatum
Diplazium - Wikipedia

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

excellent, distinctive fronds

Diplazium tomitaroanum

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

clumping

Doodia caudata Doodia - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

small clumps

Doryopteris concolor

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

likes drier atmosphere

Doryopteris ludens

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

dry, needs lime

Doryopteris palmata

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

dry, needs lime, difficult

Gymnopteris marantae

Temperate

dry, difficult

Lemmaphyllum accedens

Tropical-Temperate

creeping habit

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

creeping habit

Leptopteris fraseri*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

needs high humidity

Leptopteris hymeno-phylloides*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

needs high humidity

Leptopteris superba*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

needs high humidity

Macroglena caudata

Tropical-Temperate

excellent, needs coarse mix

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Mini Ruffle' Nephrolepis - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

small, ruffled clumps

Notholaena sinuata*
Notholaena - Wikipedia

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dry

Notholaena standleyi*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dry, may need lime

Oenotrichia tripinnata*

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

excellent

Paraceterach muelleri*

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

dry

Paraceterach reynoldsii

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

dry

Pleurosorus rutifolius

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

dry

Pteris ensiformis and cultivars Pteris - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

excellent

Pyrrosia rupestris

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

drier

Pyrossia serpens

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

drier

Quercifilix zeylanica

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

drier

Selaginella australiensis
Selaginella - Wikipedia

Tropical-Temperate

spreading

Selaginella brisbanensis

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

spreading

Selaginella kraussiana

Temperate-Semi-Tropical

spreading

Selaginella longipinna

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

clumping

Selaginella martensii

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

clumping

Selaginella mollis

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

spreading

Selaginella serpens

Tropical-Semi-Tropical

spreading

Selaginella umbrosa

Semi-Tropical-Temperate

clumping

Trichomanes species

Tropical-Temperate

needs high humidity

 

Companion Plants

A question Shady Plants get asked many times is what flowering plants are suited for growing with ferns. There are a few choice plants, with elegant flowers with subtle shades that compliment ferns and grow well in shade. Here is a collection of plants that, in my opinion, go very well with ferns:-

and

Ferns of the Atlantic Fringe with associated plants (1 - Atlantic Cliff-top Grassland, Ledges and Rough Slopes; 2 - Clay Coasts and Dunes of South-East Ireland; 3 - Limestones of Western Atlantic Coasts; 4 - Hebridean Machair; 5 - Horsetail Flushes, Ditches and Stream Margins; 6 - Water Margin Osmunda Habitats; 7 - Western, Low-lying, Wet, Acid Woodlands; 8 - Western, Oak and Oak-Birch Woodlands and Ravines, in the UK and Ireland)

Ferns in Coastal District with associated plants
(Hard Rock Cliffs, Soft Rock Cliffs, Clay Coasts, or Coastal Sand-Dunes in the UK)
Ferns of Grasslands and Rock Outcrops (Grasslands; Rocks, Quarries and Mines in the UK)

Ferns of Heath and Moorland with associated plants (1 - Bracken Heath; 2 - Ferns of Moist Heathland Slopes and Margins of Rills and Streams; 3 - Heathland Horsetails, 4 - Heathland Clubmosses, in the UK)

Ferns of Lower Mountain Habitats with associated plants (1 - Upland Slopes and Screes; 2 - Base-rich, Upland Springs and Flushes; 3 - Base-rich, Upland, Streamside Sands and Gravels; 4 - Juniper Shrub Woodland, in the UK)

Ferns for Man-Made Landscapes with associated plants (South-western Hedgebanks, Hedgerows and Ditches, Walls and Stonework, Water Mills and Wells, Lime Kilns and abandoned Lime-Workings, Pit heaps and Shale Bings, Canals, Railways and Their Environs in the UK)

Ferns of Upper Mountain Habitats with associated plants (1 - High Mountain, Basic Cliffs and Ledges; 2 - High, Cliff Gullies; 3 - High Mountain Corries, Snow Patches and Fern beds; 4 - Ridges, Plateaux and High Summits, in the UK)

Ferns for Wetlands with associated plants (1- Ponds, Flooded Mineral Workings and Wet Heathland Hollows; 2 - Lakes and Reservoirs; 3 - Fens; 4 - Ferns of the Norfolk Broads' Fens; 5 - Willow Epiphytes in the UK)

Ferns in Woodland with associated plants (1 - Dry, Lowland, Deciduous Woodland; 2 - Inland, Limestone, Valley Woodland; 3 - Base-rich Clay, Valley Woodland; 4 - Basic, Spring-fed Woodland; 5 - Ravine Woodland on Mixed Rock-types; 6 - Native Pine Forest in the UK)