Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
Ferns are an integral part of our natural world, offering shelter and food to many animals. As vascular plants (which means they transport water in specialized tissues rather than flowers), ferns have a long and fascinating evolutionary history.
Some ferns are evergreen, keeping their leaves throughout winter and then sprouting new fronds in spring. On the other hand, some are deciduous, with their fronds falling over completely before re-emerging in the springtime.
Ferns that are semi-evergreen typically retain their foliage for extended periods of the year and then regrowth new fronds annually. They provide great colour and interest throughout the garden year round and add an aesthetic sense of solid form and structure to borders.
Selecting the ideal type of fern for your garden depends on personal taste and the desired effect. Some ferns are highly adaptable, tolerant to a range of conditions while others need a sheltered and shady area in your garden to thrive.
In the UK, there is an array of ferns that can survive dry shade conditions; from Hardy Dryopteris to more tropical Bird's Nest Fern. All can be used to add vibrant greenery and moisture to even the driest corners in your garden as long as they receive adequate watering and cooling during summertime.
Tree ferns are an attractive choice to add interest and structure to a shady area of your garden. These ferns have a trunk-like rhizome which will eventually grow into an impressive plant; they can be kept indoors as houseplants or outdoors without winter protection if you live in mild temperatures with plenty of sunshine.
Are you searching for a year-round native fern that provides seasonal interest, look out for spleenworts in local woods and parks. These hardy plants thrive best in damp woodland environments, providing habitat to birds, bees, insects and fungi.
They make for an attractive garden wall, where their roots will extract essential nutrients from stones or brick. This fern thrives best near the seashore where salty breezes reduce the risk of frost.
Spleenworts are low-growing and compact, making them perfect for colonizing nooks and crannies like paving joints. Furthermore, these plants provide a home to frogs and beetles.
Polypodies stand out among other fern types as they can be grown indoors and easily transplanted into other parts of your garden. They make great groundcover plants in shady spots, adding a welcome splash of green in summertime.
Wildflowers are an essential element in any wildlife garden and require little upkeep. Not only that, but their low maintenance requirements mean you can enjoy your garden looking its best all year long!
