Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Fronds. Fiddleheads. FERNS.


I don't belong to much - in terms of plant or gardening groups and societies. So this is somewhat of a first. But, I think it is a great place to start - for me and my curiosity about/addiction regarding ferns.

The American Fern Society.

For 12 clams, I'll receive the Fiddlehead Forum six times a year. The Society also offers a lot of free information through their website. A tad on the techie side, it still gets me going.

Could becoming a (insert serious-sounding word here for fern lover) be far behind? Probably not. I'm aiming low, hoping I won't kill my new batch of greenhouse ferns within (screech) . . . a month.

6 comments:

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Tracy .. I am a fern addict too. One time a girlfriend from the east coast saw my fiddleheads from a log fern and she said "we can EAT those !" .. I said are you CRAZY ???? eat my young ?????
'nuff said ! LOL
Joy

Melanie Chopay said...

Tracy, I've been adding ferns every year for 4 or 5 years now. Still don't nearly have enough and I always get mad at myself for not adding enough last year.

One variety came here showed up here on it's own, it's lovely and sows itself around. I'll have to take photos this spring and ask for help in identifying it.

Tree hugging said...

Once you are really hooked, to the point that you start seeking out Fern Allies (You know, the "old school" plants on the side of the ferns bent on subduing those newfangled Angiosperms), well then you should check out this nursery:

CHARLES ALFORD PLANTS

Yes, I too am irritated by catalogues I have to print off and mail; however, given how primitive these plants are in the evolutionary scale, maybe its appropriate? Seriously though, pretty cool stuff you can't find elsewhere.

Also check out my fiddlehead image.

Unknown said...

Ferns are great fun, though I do better with them outdoors than in. Here in the house, the furball children would want to dine on most ferns, so all I have is a really goodsized staghorn fern. I have wandered over to the society to have a look, too!

Anonymous said...

Just had to drop a line and say "Hi!". This is my first time to your site and I love it. I too love ferns and my name is Ferne! I tend to kill the houseplant variety so I keep them outside. My favorites are Maiden Hair ferns, but I have a Tiger fern that has survived the winter and has the most interesting variegations...about to become another favorite!

Oh I am also a snapdragon!

Unknown said...

I am right there with you. I am fascinated by their details and repetition.

Do you, by any chance, have any photos of the nursery?