Polypody

Polypody (Polypodium) - This large family of Ferns contains several good hardy kinds, the principal being the common P. vulgare, which has about a score of cultivated varieties differing more or less widely from each other. The most distinct and beautiful as well as the freest in growth are cambricum, elegantissimum, pulcherrimum, and trichomanoides. P. Barrowi and P.Prestoni, plumous forms of P. cambricum, are handsome and ornamental forms. Though preferring shade, they only need a good supply of water at the root during summer, and will thrive even exposed to the full rays of the sun. Plant them in fibry loam and tough and fibry peat, with a liberal admixture of leaf-mould and well-decayed woody matter, to which add a thin top-dressing of similar material every autumn. The evergreen Polypodiums associate well with flowering plants that do not require frequent removing, and they may be made to cover bare spaces beneath trees, or to overrun stumps. A beautiful effect, too, is got by their use as a carpet or setting to some of the plants in the rock garden. Besides P. vulgare and its varieties, there are several deciduous kinds, such as P. dryopteris (Oak Fern), of which P. d. plumosum is the best form, and P. phegopteris (Beech Fern), well known to all Fern lovers. They thrive best in peat, loam, and sharp sand, with some broken lumps of sandstone, and prefer a dry situation in the rock garden, or any situation which is not fully exposed to the sun. A slightly shaded spot should be selected, where they might be planted among flowering plants suitable for the same treatment and affording the needed shelter. P. Robertianum (Limestone Polybody) is a beautiful deciduous species somewhat difficult to manage; it should have a dry sheltered position, does not mind sunshine, and prefers a mixture of sandy and fibry loam, with a plentiful addition of pounded limestone. P. alpestre resembles the Lady Fern, with fronds dark green, and sometimes exceeding 2 feet in length. It may with advantage be grouped with Lady Ferns, as it flourishes under similar treatment. P. hexagonopterum, a native of N. America, is hardy in sheltered positions, and has elegant tapering dark green fronds about 1 foot in height.

• Sugar Maple Tree Picture
• What Plants Grow in Winter
• Identifying Plant Disease

• Gardenia Plant Care
• Jasmine
• How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace
• Honeysuckle
• Maple Tree Diseases

• Category:Plants
• Poison Ivy
• Pickerel Weed
• Knotweed