Description We have created our Perennial Hardy Fern Collection to help you build and showcase an area in your garden which is full of luscious shades and interesting textures. Ferns are a reliable addition to all our gardens as they are long lived and rarely affected by pests and disease. Shady borders and woodland areas can be transformed and brought to life with our carefully chosen selection. Their versatility means that they are suited to shady rockeries, garden walls, baskets or pots and the beauty of their unfurling fronds suit all garden environments whether it be a cottage, urban or indeed wildlife setting. Each one of our ferns have been carefully chosen to offer you a broad selection from the hugely varied fern species. Whether it be their large, lush leaves or their delicate, feathery fronds it is undoubtable that they will bring beauty and elegance to your garden. The range spans from hardy to fully hardy and can be both deciduous and evergreen. Combined with plants such as hellebores and hostas you can begin to establish a stunning area of natural interest which brings much needed value to garden wildlife. Our horticulturalists believe strongly that ferns are a truly wonderful addition to all gardens as they are easy to grow and low maintenance, once they are established. The dark, moist micro-climate they can create offers a valuable habitat for species such as frogs, beetles, snails and insects which shelter beneath their fronds. Planting Conditions For successful cultivation of your fern collection, we recommend well-drained soil enriched with organic matter is provided for planting. These perennials thrive in areas with dappled to full shade with bright indirect light. Space ferns at least two feet apart from each other and plant no deeper than the rootball. Watering & Feeding Water the ferns regularly during periods without rain and do not let the soil get dry. Ferns like their roots damp this can be achieved by adding a layer of mulch to the surrounding soil. Water ferns kept in containers more frequently than those in the ground to ensure they do not dry out. We recommend during winter months, reducing the watering of evergreen ferns to avoid root rot and avoiding watering deciduous ferns. Water new ferns well in the first year ensuring you do not water directly onto the crown of the plant or the fronds themselves as this may contribute towards rot. General Care To ensure the longevity of your ferns cut off any dead or ragged fronds at the base, taking care not to damage any newly developing fronds. In late winter or early spring, you can cut all fronds down to ground level. By making room around the crown of the plant you will be enabling good air circulation. By applying a layer of garden compost or soil improver to the soil surface annually in spring, the soil will become suitably enriched over time.
