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Welcome to the World of Ferns!
Fabulous ferns for the house and garden....
Hardy Ferns for the Garden
FERN INFORMATION
Scroll down for the glossary of terms used on the website
If you are thinking of using ferns in your garden, you might like to consider the following points:
What are the conditions like where you are going to plant?
Open or shade - Ferns are remarkably tolerant of a wide range of soil, moisture and light conditions. It is a misconception to assume that all ferns like damp and shady places as there are many that thrive in a dry and sunlit position, providing they are sited out of full midday sun. Also, avoid very windy sites as this may damage larger plants.
Soil moisture - Most ferns will tolerate dryness, with some exceptions such as the Royal Ferns - the Osmunda and Blechnum that need moisture at their roots. Ferns particularly suited to drier conditions, such as under trees, are the Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum), Dryopteris and Pellaea species. The Desert Ferns - the Cheilanthes will thrive in full sun provided the soil is well drained such as in alpine gardens or containers.
Acid, limey or clay - The majority of ferns are very accommodating to a variety of soil types. In our experience most ferns will thrive in neutral clay conditions, others particularly Blechnum, Doodia, Cryptogramma and some Cheilanthes need soil on the acid side of neutral. Ferns very tolerant of lime include Asplenium scolopendrium, Polypodium australe and Polystichum setiferum. Others including Dryopteris, are not fussy. A useful means of providing lime for ferns is to add some crushed lime mortar (from an old wall) to the site where they will be planted.
What effect are you trying to achieve? The wonderful thing about ferns is that there are so many frond shapes, colours, textures, hues and heights. You can plant individual plants or a number together to get a lush, tropical effect or a range of sizes to get a tiered effect.
How many plants will you need for the area to be covered? As a general rule, plants will spread to at least twice the distance as they are high, so for example a plant 12" (30cm) high will be approximately 24" (60cm) across. So plants that grow to 15" (39cm) high we recommend that three are planted to a square metre, smaller plants five to a square metre and larger plants one, two or three depending on the effect you are trying to get.
Colours, textures and frond shapes? Do you want blocks of colour or plants showing a range of characteristics?
Give the plants a thorough watering before planting out. Ferns are, as a rule, fairly shallow rooting and should therefore be planted no deeper than the pot with any unfurling croziers just at the soil surface. Incorporate a little bone-meal (using gloves!) and leaf molds or other organic matter to speed root establishment. Water well to get plants established and in severe drought.
An interesting point to note: if the fern croziers are unfurling and the plant is moved, it is likely that the unfurled frond will be contorted, this is particularly obvious in the tree-ferns but can also be seen in smaller plants.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED ON OUR WEBSITE
The leaflets (pinnae) are arranged on both sides of the frond midrib producing a fairly simple frond The pinnae are not fully separate but are connected to their neighbours by leaf tissue There are further series of leaflets (pinnules) arranged on both sides of the pinna midrib, which results in a fairly feathery frond There are yet further leaflets (pinnulets) arranged on both sides of the pinnule midrib, which results in a very feather frond The coiled young frond of a fern The frond midrib or stem The frond stem below the leafy part
The 'leaf' of the fern Dry conditions such as in stony and well-drained soil. Plants will tolerate most conditions from dry to moist soil. Plants prefer to have roots in moist soil. Pond sides or boggy areas. In gardens where there is no natural water, try planting above a polythene sheet (e.g. old compost bag) about. Set 6 inches below soil surface to impede drainage.
World of Ferns is a trading name of Rickards Ferns Limited
Registered in Cardiff. Company number: 04549319. VAT number GB 811 4581 61.
Registered address: Carreg Y Fedwen, Lôn Rallt, Pentir, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales LL57 4RP
Copyright © Rickards Ferns Ltd - all rights reserved.
Whilst much effort has been given to checking the accuracy of the contents of this website, we regret that we cannot be liable for any errors or omissions - last updated 1 June 2008