I've actually realised I don't have any photos of my shady bank! Very remiss of me. It ( and the area around it) is undergoing a bit of modification at present so might be a while before I get reasonable pics.
In the meantime, here are some of my other frondy friends -these self seeded in the pot with a cordyline in it. I wouldn't have thought these were natural pot-fellows, but they seem happy!
Some more fronds to close out the year, taken a few weeks ago. I've planted Asplenium trichomanes close to the path. To my eye it goes well with the chunky bricks, it's easy to keep an eye on and it's a space that's kept open. To the right are Polypodium cambricum, the other ferns are potentially Polystichum neolobatum and Polystichum polyblepharum; to my shame I've lost track a bit. Bottom left, just visible, is a small patch of Cardamine trifolia, a lovely woodland plant. It's the second attempt, this time it seems to take.
My north facing shady and wet border - the fern in the middle was already there before I extended the border and added hostas, veronicastrums, japanese anemones etc. I'm no expert on ferns so if someone can tell me what it is, I'd be greatful!
Some lovely ones in this thread. I bought some mixed unlabelled ferns a few weeks ago and look forward to trying to identify them later in the year.
I love ferns but find identifying them really difficult. Sometimes it is necessary to see the pattern made by sori of the back of the frond to be sure which fern it is.
I have--self-seeded--Dryopteris filix-mas, and planted--Asplenium scolopendrium 'Crispum', Polysticha polyblepharum, and Polypodium vulgare which is amazing with the foliage of Cyclamen hederifolium. I have killed Asplenium trichomanes twice. I've also got what is probably my favourite, Adiantum pedatum in a pot, which seems only to require very deep shade to keep going, and not too much moisture.
Unfortunately I don't seem to have many photos of any of these, but will try and post some.
@Ennyl That's a lovely lush border. For identification it would be better to have a closer picture of the fern, but even then it is difficult as @Silver surfer writes above (and note the remark about how the back of frond with sori may be needed).
Looking forward to pictures @Cambridgerose12 ! I'm down the road in the Shelfords.
One I have that no-one has yet mentioned is Onoclea sensibilis, the sensitive fern. This grows very happily in my wet & boggy 'Dell' and I always look forward to seeing the new fronds, as they start off bright pink, then gradually change to green. A bit different to most of my other ferns, its fronds are more rounded, less 'frondy', but still very attractive. It spreads a bit, but not too fast, and in an organised way by rhizomes, that extends the clump, rather than popping up anywhere at random.
I have native Dryopteris all over the place and try to save them when I can. There are 2 forms, one that I has what I call 'untidy' fronds which is D. felix mas and the other which has tidier, more evenly shaped fronds and growth and I still can't make my mind up on this one. Hart's tongue also seems to be native, but much less frequent and I have found Polypody too. I have these and some other ferns in my stumpery, on the steep bank behind the garage that never gets any sun. I have added a fuchsia 'Hawkshead', some Heucheras, primulas, cylamen, a Roscoea and trilliums for some seasonal colour and it has become one of my favourite parts of the garden, a hidden, secret retreat, with always something interesting to look at.
Here's the best shot I've been able to find so far: foliage of Nandina domestica 'Plum Passion' with partial views of Polystichum polyblepharum (left) and Adiantum pedatum (right). Apologies about the bit of plastic bag...my garden is so tiny that the stores of gravel etc are always just behind plants.
Posts
In the meantime, here are some of my other frondy friends -these self seeded in the pot with a cordyline in it. I wouldn't have thought these were natural pot-fellows, but they seem happy!
Sometimes it is necessary to see the pattern made by sori of the back of the frond to be sure which fern it is.
Enjoy them...what ever they are.
Unfortunately I don't seem to have many photos of any of these, but will try and post some.
Looking forward to pictures @Cambridgerose12 ! I'm down the road in the Shelfords.
@Wibble - what is your lovely iris?