Ferns

[Tim Ingram]

I must go to check my plant of Polystichum vestitum. Our climate is probably not much different to Geoffrey but the polystichum has probably not done so well because I have it in a place that is just too dry. I grow quite a few polystichums and find them generally very tolerant of our garden, and extremely attractive. One mountain species, stenophyllum, grows on a raised bed with alpines, and really makes me think I should try more such small species.

[Geo F-W]

I think your climate is slightly warmer than here (-11.8 ° C this year) Tim.

If you like small ferns in rockery, you should try the Pellaea. They are little beauties, Pellaea atropurpurea, Pellaea rotundifolia (which is often sold as indoor plant, but fits comfortably in the outdoors in pots or in rockery, the sun), Pellaea falcata (ditto).
Cryptogramma crispa is also a good rockery fern, not necessarily easy to culture, it grows on acid rocks.

Woodsia polystichoides is not bad either.

[Tim Ingram]

Yes I think I will definitely try some of these smaller ferns. Rachel Lever at Aberconwy Nursery has been growing many of these, especially the Cheilanthes. It would be nice to hear more of people's experiences growing them in the garden, but I imagine few people do. I haven't tried Pellaea species, so will certainly look out for these.

[cohan]

-11.8 sounds positively sub-tropical to me 
Those small rockery ferns are very interesting for sure! Be sure to share anyone who has  or gets any!
I've mentioned before becoming very fascinated with small ferns growing in seasonally/dry places in Mexico/Central America along with succulents such as Echeveria! would love to get some of those to grow indoors with succulents, but have not found any

[Lis Allison]

Ferns are one of my main interests in the garden. I'm in zone 4 and of the small rock-loving ferns, several Woodsias, ilvensis, alpina and oregana all do well. Cryptogramma crispa is difficult, I'm hoping my few remaining plants make it through the winter. They are hard to establish. Several Aspleniums, trichomanes both sub-species and platyneuron are great in shady rock walls, as is Cryptogramma stelleri. Cystopteris fragilis is nice although it goes dormant in dry weather. Common Polypody (P. virginiana) is all over my rockery. Adiantum aleuticum, spp. subpumilum, and of course the Fragrant Fern, Dryopteris fragrans are terrific. I have other small ones started, some planted out last summer, but I don't know yet how they will come through the winter.

I can collect spores and send them to the exchange if there is enough interest.

[Tim Ingram]

Lis - I would certainly be interested in spores. I did join the British Pteridological Society mainly so I could try a wider range of ferns from spores, but so far haven't really started growing many. They are a group (the rock ferns) that I would very like to propagate as we develop the nursery again, and I used to grow a number of cheilanthes. These, however, are generally difficult outside here so it's good to hear of experiences with other small ferns.

[Hoy]

I can collect spores of Asplenium septentrionale if anybody is interested. And Lis, Cryptogramma crispa is very common here - I haven't tried it in the garden - but if you need more spores that's easy to get hold of!

[cohan]

Cool one, Trond!

[RickR]

Cool one, Trond!

I don't know what to think about a fern that tricks me into thinking it is a grass...

[Lis Allison]

I don't know what to think about a fern that tricks me into thinking it is a grass...

You think, 'Wow, that is sooo cool!' of course.

Any chance of A. septentrionale spores in the seedex soon?

[cohan]

I don't know what to think about a fern that tricks me into thinking it is a grass...

You think, 'Wow, that is sooo cool!' of course.

That's what I said  I always like plants that don't look like they are supposed to

[Hoy]

I don't know what to think about a fern that tricks me into thinking it is a grass...

You think, 'Wow, that is sooo cool!' of course.

Any chance of A. septentrionale spores in the seedex soon?

Lis, I have a better idea: I'll send you some when the spores ripen. Then you don't need to use your quota in the seedex.

[Lis Allison]

That would be wonderful! Thanks!

[Tim Ingram]

A little plant of Woodsia obtusa just unfurling its new fronds on the sand bed. This is growing in a carpet of Raoulia australis and makes a nice contrast to other plants on the bed.

[cohan]

Nice one, Tim!