The work has started in our Fernery
Here at Black Pond Farm, the work has begun on our rendition of a fernery. We selected a site on the property that already has lots of healthy native ferns and then carved out paths. My initial estimate is that we already have 9 native varieties established in the area. All the sticks and logs had to be removed that had fallen down along the paths. A chainsaw came in handy, clippers, shovels and a rake became the best tools for the job. Planting beds had to be designed to hold the ferns. it's about a month early for many of the varieties to be visible, so soon there will be surprises around every corner!
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Brenda's basic design elements:
- stumps covered in moss and ferns
- gravel paths lined in rocks
- raised beds (rock walls)
- a central focal point
- a fairy house made of stone
Erin, Preston and I did a search on the internet to learn more about ferns. We spent most of an evening looking at the photos and descriptions found at www.fancyfronds.com .
The kids were excited about the things they learned and had their favorites. In fact, the next morning they were up bright-and-early sitting at the computer. Erin was writing down the names of the ones they wanted to plant in our fernery. That's the kind of enthusiasm parents need to act on! The nursery is located in Gold Bar, Washington and is by appointment only. It's Spring Break for the kids, so I called to make an appointment. Judith answered the phone and was nearly as excited to have little kids coming as our kids were to go! When we arrived, she nearly melted when she was handed a list of plants they wanted...written in their own handwriting. On Preston's list, he wanted an "Autumn" type, but wrote "Fall" instead, since he could spell that better. Judith smiled broadly and exclaimed that he was very clever to think of that.
Judith moved through her greenhouses with Preston as a shadow. She used the Latin names for everything she passed, explaining how this or that was related or how they can be easily confused. He found her to be fascinating, even at the age of just 8. Judith answered his questions patiently and gave him plants to "just take home". She may as well have been handing him fresh cookies.
The plants were all arranged in 4 inch pots, ranging from $8.00 to $10.00. We loaded up during our visit... and it was worth every penny.
American Fern Society
http://amerfernsoc.org/
http://www.visuallink.net/fern/index.html
San Diego Fern Society
http://www.sdfern.com/sdfsprog.htm
http://www.sdfern.com/ferncare.htm
http://www.inetworld.net/sdfern/society.htm
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British Pteridological
Society
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/bps/
Dutch Fern Society
http://www.nederlandse-varenvereniging.nl/
Fern Society of Victoria,
Australia
http://gardenbed.com/clubs/clubs_vicferns.cfm
http://gardenbed.com/vicferns
Hardy Fern Foundation,
EUA
http://www.hardyferns.org/