Plant of the Month : Ferns

evergreen Polystichum setiferum "Plumosum Densum"

Ferns are helpful and unobtrusive fillers for damp dark areas; Matteucia struthiopteris is one of those that grows everywhere and multiplies like weed with long underground stolons; the male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is another that turns up in the garden and occupies little root space but unfolds beautiful green fronds in spring that turn yellow-brownish in November. Christopher Lloyd recommends to pull out self-sown ferns and make use of the spaces that they found to plant rarer species - they will thrive where a place holder had found space. It is easier said than done, though, as they often put their roots down in the smallest crevices between pavings and at the foot of damp walls. 

Matteucia struthiopteris crozier

Most ferns are very beautiful with delicate fronds or striking shapes in spring and summer; some ferns are evergreen and will keep their fronds in the severest frost looking fresh and young even when their surroundings succumb to decay.  
We started collecting a few some years ago. Most are best obtained from specialist nurseries. 

Athyrium metallicum niponicum "Pictum" 

Dryopteris purpurella

Polystichum setiferum "Plumosum Bevis"  

decorated with maple leaves

Athyrium otophorum "Okanum" 

Cyrtomium fortunei "Clivicola"

a backside