After the BBC covered Stumperies as part of their Garden Revival programme I have been asked a number of times which ferns are suited. It seems that a stumpery is now the 'must have' garden feature, and after you see one you'll know why! The answer is almost any of the hardy ferns I sell. The shelter, humidity, drainage and shade mean that most ferns will thoroughly enjoy those conditions. I have put together a selection of the more interesting types, as well as a few natives, to get the best from your stumpery. The Victorians loved the 'Gothic' feel and this selection will help recreate a part of the atmosphere but with a few cheerful additions to brighten the mood! To find out more about the ferns offered just click on the name. The ferns are:

Athyrium vidalii 9cm- A beautiful hardy fern with lime green fronds maturing to dark green set off with dramatic purple veins, pink when young. Deciduous but keeps its fronds well and rises early in spring. Can stay evergreen in mild winters in a sheltered spot.

Dryopteris erythrosora 9cm-Evergreen, height to 80cm. A stunning, evergreen fern, new fronds orange/red maturing to green.

Polystichum tsus-simense 9cm- Evergreen: Fabulous wsmaller fern, very evergreen and loves the well drained soil between stones and logs.

Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum' 9cm. Superb evergreen, height to 90cm. Beautiful variety of the native soft shield fern with dissected foliage giving a lighter feel to this robust fern.

Dryopteris fili-mas 'Linearis polydacyla' 9cm- A very hardy, and one of those 'wow' ferns when mature. Very thin pinaea, light and airy.

]Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum' 9cm- Japanese Painted Fern. Deciduous fern so plant some woodland bulbs near this. In spring the famous multicoloured fronds appear and last through to late autumn.

Dryopteris cycadina- A fabulous evergreen with upright arching fronds. The black hairs on the stipes are very attractive with the green.


Stumpery Fern Collection. 7 ferns €29.00