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HARTSTONGUE FERN

A very common British fern with glossy undivided fronds which reproduces by spores rather than seed, the spores being seen on the underside of the frond. A good plant to introduce to a shady place in the garden, and especially love damp soil although not essential. Mine are happy growing through cracks in rockery stone.



'Gathering Ferns' Illustrated London News July 1st 1871

Ferns were very popular in Victorian times, a popularity which became a craze called Pteridomania, which sounds more like an illness to me!

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FERNS & GUNNERA



The magnificent gunnera (giant rhubarb) needs warm soil on a damp site with lots of space!



The makings of an impressive stumpery.



The woodlice are going to love it in here!

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FERNS

I have four different ferns planted at the base of my Amelanchier tree, this is one of them. I love ferns and they are a great addition to any 'green' garden or to an area in shade. They were very popular with the Victorians and they displayed them beneath glass in 'ferneries' and also developed 'stumperies' where they planted ferns and other shade loving plants amongst tree stumps and roots, this is a great idea and this is a project which I want to undertake sometime soon. These have two purposes, one to look good and two to encourage lots of wildlife amongst the decaying matter, lovely!