VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 FALL/WINTER 1990 Jdardy fern foundation p c d MF Z GN c; c u cd => cd =3 c ft

added 115 ferns to the planting includ¬ ing the entire research collection of Ed Alverson's Master's Degree studies on Cryptogramma. These are in the rock garden and/or adjacent to the site of a proposed alpine garden. Your Hardy Fern Foundation membership entitles you to reduced admission at the Rho¬ dodendron Species Foundation and we urge you to visit when you are in the area. In addition to the reference garden at the Species Foundation the Hardy Fern Foundation has installed a display gar¬ den at Lakewold, the Tacoma estate and public garden of Mrs. Corydon Wagner. It is the intention of the plant¬ Breaking Ground at the Pond Area of the Rhododendron Species Foundation - Spring 1990. ing to demonstrate how a diversity of 1. - r. Marshall Majors, Mareen Kruckeberg, Guy Huntley, Jeanette Kunnen, Sue Olsen, ferns can be used in the landscape. The Marti Williard ferns are divided into two sections with North American natives on one side of President's Message SUE OLSEN a woodland path and exotics on the other with the total to complement the The Hardy Fern Foundation is reaching the conclusion of a very promising first extensive fern collection already estab¬ year. Thank you all for your memberships and especially for your support of our lished in the garden. Lakewold is open project. to the public Tues., Thurs., and Sat. We are pleased to report that in January of this year the Northwest Horticultural from April through October. To visit it Society gave us a grant in the amount of $5,000 as seed money to make our pro¬ is to see one of the most beautiful gar¬ posals a reality. In addition, the IRS has granted us non-profit status, and we are dens in the U.S. now free to pursue other opportunities for donations and grants. Our first spore list will be published in Our membership is approaching 250 and is truly national in distribution (see conjunction with the American Fern page 4). We are grateful for your letters of encouragement and certainly to those Society and will be mailed to members of you who contributed beyond the basic membership rate to assist us. after the holidays. Anyone wishing to Requests to be considered for satellite garden status have been received from contribute spore should send their seven institutions representing a considerable divergence in climatic conditions. material to Mrs. Garrett Horder, 16813 All are currently under consideration. As resources permit, we hope to make a Lemolo Shore Dr. N.E., Poulsbo, WA modest beginning with research gardens at other sites possibly by the fall of 1991. 98370 We have also received from member James Horrocks a very informative account We regret that Joseph Beitel, one of our of fern cultivation in the Salt Lake City, Utah environment. We are publishing Scientific Advisors has resigned for per¬ these observations in installments beginning with this newsletter. In addition, sonal reasons. We wish him well with offers of cooperation have been received from as far away as Holland, Great his pursuits as well as a speedy recov¬ Britain and the former East Germany. We also look forward to a positive ery from his recent illness. We are response from contacts in Japan and China. pleased to announce that Barbara Joe In cooperation with the Rhododendron Species Foundation, the Hardy Fern Hoshizaki, author of The Fern Grower's Foundation planting became a reality this past spring with an unofficial ground¬ Manual, will be serving as our new breaking in June. 189 ferns representing 56 species and varieties were arranged Scientific Advisor. by genus, country of origin and habitat preference in the Lower Study Garden Thank you again for joining us. We and pond area. The plant material was generously donated by local growers, look forward to your continued sup¬ board members and our scientific advisor. A second work party in October port.

FALL/WINTER 1990 HARDY FERN FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER Hardy Fern Foundation Fern Planting through October, 1990

Rhododendron Species Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis polydactyla' Selaginella moellendorffii Foundation Dryopteris gymosora Thelypteris noveboracensis Dryopteris lacera Woodsia obtusa Adiantum aleuticum Dryopteris ludoviciana Woodwardia areolata Adiantum pedatum Dryopteris polylepis Woodzvardia fimbriata Adiantum pedatum var. subpumilum Dryopteris pseudo filix-mas Adiantum venustum Dryopteris sieboldii Adiantum Green Mt. Maidenhair - to be published spring '91 in Rhodora Dryopteris varia var. setosa (syn. D. bissetiana) Lakewold Planting Arachniodes simplicior var. major Dryopteris wallichiana North American Natives Asplenium trichomanes Ecjuisetum hyemale Adiantum pedatum Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum Gymnocarpium dryopteris Adiantum pedatum var. subpumilum Athyrium filix-femina 'Bornholmiense' Gymnocarpium dryopteris Tlumosum' Blechnum spicant Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissium' Hypolepis rugolusa Dryopteris clintoniana x goldiana Athyrium mesosorum Lygodium japonicum Dryopteris filix-mas Athyrium niponicum Matteuccia struthiopteris (Asian) Matteuccia struthiopteris Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Matteuccia struthiopteris (NA) Onoclea sensibilis Athyrium pycnocarpon Osmunda claytoniana Osmunda cinnamomea Athyrium thelypteroides Osmunda regalis var. regalis Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis Athyrium vidalii Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis Phegopteris connctilis Blechnum niponicum (syn. Thelypteris phegopteris) Pellaea atropurpurea Blechnum penna-marina Polypodium glycyrrhiza Pellaea ovata Blechnum spicant Poly podium scouleri Phegopteris connectilis Blechnum spicant 'Serratum Rickard' (syn. Thelypteris phegopteris) Polystichum acrostichoides Cryptogramma acrostichoides Phegopteris decursive-pinnata Polystichum braunii Cryptogramma acrostichoides (syn. Thelypteris decursive-pinnata) Polystichum lemmonii x sitchensis Phegopteris hexagonoptera Polystichum munitum Cryptogramma alpestris (syn. Thelypteris hexagonoptera) Polystichum scopulinum Cryptogramma sitchensis Phyllitis scolopendrium Woodwardia fimbriata Cyrtomium caryotideum Polypodium amorphum x falcatum Polypodium scouleri Exotics Cyrtomium macrophyllum Polypodium vulgare 'Cornubiense' Adiantum venustum Cystopteris bulbifera Volystichum acrostichoides Arachniodes aristata 'Variegatum' Cystopteris protrusa Polystichum aculeatum Arachniodes simplicior var. major Cystopteris tennesseensis Polystichum braunii Arachniodes standishii Dennstaedtia punctilobula Polystichum californicum Crytomium falcatum 'Rochfordianum Dryopteris aemula Polystichum x illyricum Dryopteris clwmpionii Dryopteris affinis xfilix-mas 'Robust' Polystichum lojtchitis (in the trade as D. f-m 'Undulata Dryopteris decipiens Robusta') Polystichum polyblepltarum Dryopteris dilitata 'Crispa Whiteside' Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa' Polystichum retroso-paleaceum Dryopteris erythrosora Dryopteris championii Polystichum setiferum 'Congestum' Dryopteris lacera Dryopteris clintoniana x goldiana Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum' Dryopteris sieboldii Dryopteris cycadina Polystichum setiferum 'Rotundatum Dryopteris wallichiana crista turn' Dryopteris cystolepidota Hypolepis rugosula Polystichum setiferum 'Thompsoniae' (syn. D. nipponensis) Phyllitis scolopendrium Dryopteris decipiens Polystichum sp. (unidentified China) (European form) Dryopteris dilitata Polysticum sp. (unidentified Japan) Polystichum aculeatum Dryopteris dilitata 'Lepidota cristata' Polystichum scjuarrosum Polystichum makinoi Dryopteris dilitata 'Recurvata' Polystichum tripteron Polystichum neolobatum Dryopteris erythrosora Polystichum tsus-simense Polystichum polyblepharum Dryopteris erythrosora var. prolifica Polystichum yaemonse Polystichum retroso-paleaceum Dryopteris filix-mas Selaginella kraussiana Polystichum rigetts m HARDY FERN FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 1990 Blechnum spicant - Did fairly well here Fern Cultivation in Northern Utah but ultimately died out, the soil proba¬ Part one by James R. Horrocks bly not being add enough. Blechnum penna-marina - Rather disap¬ Northern Utah, with its semi-arid cli¬ "white" stripe down the middle of the pointing results. This fern seemed to mate, presents some real challenges to pinnae. For me, it has always been require high acidity and humidity. I growing ferns. In fact, a fern garden in light green in color, never white.) could never get it started even after several tries. the valleys is really quite unique Several Arachniodes standishii Camptosorum rhizophyllus (Asplenium factors limit the number of species that Arachniodes simplicior can actually be cultivated with any de¬ rhizophyllus) - Failed slugs and snails Arachniodes maximowiczii gree of success. First of all, the relative probably responsible. humidity is quite low during the sum¬ Arachniodes cavalerii - I am presently Ceterach officinarum (Asplenium ceter- mer months. Secondly, semi-arid cli¬ experimenting with this one. It has by ach) - Unsuccessful. far been the strongest grower and is mates, more often than not, produce Cheilanthes dalhousiae - Failed utterly. rather alkaline soils. Consequently, very easy from spore. Coniogramme -1 attempted both C. in¬ the size of the fern gardens and the Aspidotis densa - Known as "Indian's termedia and C.japonica. Unfortunately variety of ferns cultivated are quite re¬ Dream" and native to the alpine re¬ the slugs ate them to the ground before duced. A microclimate must be main¬ gions of Utah. I suspect it should remain winter arrived. Hardiness question¬ tained and ferns are mostly grown in in an alpine environment, since it able here. the shade with very little sun. dwindled and died out in my garden. Cryptogramma - Mostly alpine plants What follows is a listing of species that Asplenium - Most of these seem in need with which I have never had success. the author has personally grown or at¬ of relatively high humidity. Even A. C. acrostichoides, the Parsley Fern, which tempted to grow with notes as to pos¬ platyneuron, which I expected to thrive is native in Utah, is a so-called "lime- sible reasons for their success or fail¬ here, failed. Slugs and snails are a hater" and did miserably in my gar¬ ure. Obviously, ferns requiring high major nuisance. Species attempted with den. I have never attempted C. stelleri, humidity and those needing acidic soils disappointing results are: which is known in Utah from only one have not fared well, if at all, but there Asplenium platyneuron locale. have been some interesting surprises. Asplenium trichomanes Cyclosorus parasitica - A notorious con¬ Adiantum capillus-junonis -1 attempted Athyrium filix-femina - Native to the taminant of spore cultures and a green¬ these once but they were young plants mountains of Utah, this fern responds house weed. Believe it or not, I actually and I could not get them established. I quite well in the garden but tends to have one that has survived three cold would like to try them again. I suspect look rather dilapidated by late August. winters with some protection. they may need rather high humidity. Variants grown include: Cyrtomium - Some of these ferns are a Adiantum hispidulum - Has survived Athyrium filix-femina 'Fieldii' great deal hardier than imagined. cold winters here with protection but Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' ultimately died out. Low humidity Crytomium falcatum - Grown here for most likely a factor. Athyrium filix-femina 'Minutissimum' fourteen years. They have thrived, looking their best by late August and Adiantum monochlamys - Attempted but Athyrium filix-femina 'Cristata' September. unable to establish. I am confident many other varieties of Cyrtomium fortunei - Most likely the Adiantum pedatum - I have both the this species would probably do well hardiest of the Cyrtomiums, these like eastern variety and the western var. here in Utah. to be nestled up against large rocks. aleuticum. They seem to do fairly well Athyrium mesosorum - Hardy here but here despite the low humidity. A.P. only producing two or three fronds per Cyrtomium macrophyllum - Another sur¬ var. subpumilum attempted but failed. season. Very susceptible to slugs and prise, establishing itself rather well in Low humidity most likely the prob¬ snails. the garden. lem. Athyrium niponicum var. pictum -1 ac¬ Cyrtomium caryotidum xfalcatum - Has Adiantum venustum - Difficult to estab¬ quired this as A. goeringi anum var. pic¬ done quite well nestled against a large lish but if it takes hold-watch out. This tum. It has done surprisingly well here. boulder. is my best Adiantum, spreading among Athyrium otophorum - Hardy but rather Cyrtomium caryotideum - Marginal per¬ the larger rocks and remaining very cautious in its growth. Plants grown in formance. This one did much better fresh and green. Evergreen through a large cold-frame did very well. Hu¬ when I moved it into the cold-frame. the winter here if covered with snow. midity most likely a factor. Perhaps it was too small for the open garden. Arachniodes - Many of these are cold Athyrium pycnocarpon -1 am surprised hardy but seem to require high humid¬ that this fern is not offered in more list¬ I have always wanted to try C. balansae ity. They also grow so slowly here that ings. It has always been a strong grower but have never been able to acquire it. they have not thrived. Slugs and snails for me, needing only adequate mois¬ are particularly troublesome. Species ture and protection from late frosts and attempted with generally the same wind. The once-pinnate fronds are Look for part two in our next newsletter disappointing results are: unique among North American decidu¬ Arachniodes aristatum 'Variegatum' - ous ferns. My colony is over twenty (Several authors have alluded to the years old.

FALL/WINTER 1990 HARDY FERN FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER The Hardy Fern Foundation wishes to sincerely thank the following members who have contributed above and beyond the basic membership classifications. Hardy Fern Foundation Your support sustains our existence. Membership Distribution Grants:_ Northwest Horticultural Society Charles Smith Number of State(s) & Patrons:_ Christine Spindel Members Countries Dr. and Mrs. Warren H. Wagner Jr. Mrs. Hugh Baird 76 WA Mrs. Phil Duryee Endowment Fund 20 NY Mrs. Garrett Horder Contributions:_ 19 CA, OR Contributing;_ Julia Bounds 13 MA American Rock Garden Society, NW Frank Cabot 10 PA Chapter Michael Cocannon 8 CT, VA Mrs. Esther Berry Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Dalby 7 MD, NJ Mrs. Leonard Eshorn Steven Gilbert 5 Canada, GA Guy Huntley Thomas Gillies 3 IN, MI, MN, Charles Lamade Bill Horder NC, TN, WI Marshall Majors Mrs. Garrett Horder 2 AL, IL, MO, Mrs. Pendleton Miller Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hyde OH, SC, TX Mary Clay Muller Mr. & Mrs. Harry Olsen 1 AK, AR, HI, Paul Penfield Jr. John W. Platt ME, MS, MT, Mr. & Mrs. Cal Shorts Leonard Richard UT, VT, WV Ben Sims

HARDY FERN FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER FALL/WINTER 1990

* NON-PROFIT Odardy fern foundation US POSTAGE P.O. Box 60034 PAID Richmond Beach, WA 98160-0034 SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 4875