If you won the lotto - what would you collect to show off your wealth?
Sports cars?
Gemstones?
Racehorses?
... Or plants?
Come with us on a mossy woodland walk, to discover the Victorian craze Pteridomania...
Pteridomania : fern fever, or fern madness, was the term, and those who succumbed became obsessed; memorising the names of each species, pressing the leaves, and illustrating them in watercolours.
These fern fanatics created mossy fern grottos and green leafy glades. They landscaped woodland gardens into stumperies - shady rockeries with tree stumps and logs in place of rocks; and ferns and moss in place of succulents. The aim was to create a reflection of nature, as wild-looking as possible - while showing off each plant to its best. If you want to create your own stumpery, you could take King Charles III's at Highgrove House as your inspiration! Wealthy fern fanatics even built huge climate-controlled fern houses in their grounds, to perfectly display their prized possessions - the plant equivalent of racehorse stables or sportscar garages.
We've caught the fern fever - and it might be contagious!
Did you know, back in Victorian times (that's the Queen not the State) there was a HUGE trend for collecting and displaying ferns.
Come with us on a mossy woodland walk, to discover the Victorian craze Pteridomania...
Pteridomania - fern fever
Pteridomania : fern fever, or fern madness, was the term, and those who succumbed became obsessed; memorising the names of each species, pressing the leaves, and illustrating them in watercolours.
These fern fanatics created mossy fern grottos and green leafy glades. They landscaped woodland gardens into stumperies - shady rockeries with tree stumps and logs in place of rocks; and ferns and moss in place of succulents. The aim was to create a reflection of nature, as wild-looking as possible - while showing off each plant to its best. If you want to create your own stumpery, you could take King Charles III's at Highgrove House as your inspiration! Wealthy fern fanatics even built huge climate-controlled fern houses in their grounds, to perfectly display their prized possessions - the plant equivalent of racehorse stables or sportscar garages.
We've caught the fern fever - and it might be contagious!
Broadleaf Ferns
Did you know there are over 400 native species of fern here in Australia? Natives aren't just from the outback and the ranges - some are from the rainforest too, and they love a warm humid climate. Like these Asplenium, or bird's nest ferns - you can tell they live in an area of high rainfall and low light as the leaves are broad, flat and glossy, to let the water roll off.The ferns grow in a distinctive conical rosette, with some reaching over waist high. The largest are A. australasicum and A. antiquum; the broadest leaves belong to tropical Norfolk Gem; and the wiggly leaves to Osaka and Victoria
Curly Ferns
Some Asplenium ferns really get a wiggle on - along with Microsorum ferns, they have been bred into curly forms more like fancy lettuce than broadleaf fern. The curliness varies with the variety, and all are unique in their twists and turns. Above, clockwise from top left : super-ruched Asplenium Lasagna, Asplenium cristata crested bird's nest (parent of Crissie and Leslie), Microsorum Green Flame, Microsorum Green Wave
Lacy Ferns
Some ferns go the opposite way to Asplenium and Microsorum, with finely divided leaves that create a delicate lacy pattern. These ferns thrive in gentle humidity and a sheltered spot where the wind does not tatter their fronds. Above, clockwise from top left : Blechnum Silver Lady in a subtropical shade border, Adiantum maidenhair , Nephrolepis Boston fern - a classic favourite houseplant, Humata rabbit's foot
Colourful Ferns
Ferns come in more colours than green too, especially when new leaves emerge. You'll get russet-red and steel blue and white stripes! Above, clockwise from top left : Rumohra leatherleaf , Blechnum Volcano Brazilian tree fern, Pteris Tricolour brake fern, Phlebodium blue star
Ferns are surprisingly varied, with copper leaves and white stripes, blue-green colouring and scarlet new growth; long slender fronds and twisty curly ones; smooth surfaces and textured patterns.
Most ferns are small enough for tabletops and baskets; some can be big and bold, especially in the right environment.
Above, clockwise from top left : white striped Pteris Cretan brake , Cyrtomium Japanese holly fern , Platycerium Netherlands dwarf stagshorn, Microsorus Crocodyllus crocodile fern
Growing Ferns Successfully
Gardeners often think ferns need a lot of water because they often originate from rainy damp places. What ferns really love is water in the air - humidity and spray. You'll find ferns growing alongside waterfalls, or under dripping pipes - but their roots will be in rock, in brick, in paving. Ferns prefer water to fall on their leaves and aerial roots, but for their roots to stay dryish. That's why you'll also find them growing on tree trunks, and at the foot of shady trees where the soil is drier. Many ferns grow well in the leaf litter collected in the forks of a tree, like orchids and bromeliads do.
And giant native stagshorn and elkhorn can even grow attached to the bark of trees!
Top Tip : If you grow ferns indoors, stand the pot on a layer of pebbles in a larger saucer, and fill this with water. The pebbles keep the pot base off the water, and the water evaporates around the fern in a humid microclimate. Or, if you have time, mist it daily with a water spray.
Ferns like a sheltered spot, out of direct sun which can scorch their thin delicate leaflets. The more robust varieties with larger leaves make great underplanting beneath shade trees in frost-free garden borders.They love the climate of a bathroom too - moist humid warmth, sheltered still air, shady light. It's heaven to a fern!
Those Fern-Crazy Victorians
The modern technology of Ward's new portable glass case - a prototype terrarium - provided a clean humid environment to raise ferns in, when outdoor conditions were less than favourable. image: Ashley Basil
Originally designed for botanists and explorers to transport their finds safely on long sea voyages, they also proved useful to protect delicate plants from the polluted smog-ridden air of industrial cities.You can create your own modern Wardian case with any glass jar or large clear glass vase. The glass helps to shelter the ferns, and keep the humidity inside, creating an ideal microclimate. Plant small ferns alongside other shade-loving indoor plants : white-patterned snakeskin and polkadot plants, carnivorous pitcher plants, glossy coin leaf peperomia, and baby's tears.
Nurseries helped encourage the Victorian fern craze by endlessly hybridising new varieties to meet the demand for more variety - including creating over 300 kinds each of harts tongue, soft shield, and lady's tongue ferns.
Less scrupulous fern fans went out into the countryside and simply took what they wanted, leading to whole areas being cleared of native plants. Tropical stagshorn and bird's nest ferns were particularly prized - here, a Queensland family in 1890 shows off its fern collection, including giant stagshorn and bird's nest ferns.Ferns were even displayed on government buildings.
Here's a shot of the Brisbane Land and Works building in 1904, covered with staghorn ferns.
image : State Library QLD
For those without access to photographers - or somewhere to grow ferns - printed postcards and souvenir booklets of Australian fern scenery were produced, and coloured slides for educational lantern shows.
Fern plants, fern gardens, fern images and fern motifs were all the rage in the heyday of Pteridomania.
Leading designers incorporated ferns into every aspect of decor and lifestyle - including evening gowns!This beautiful dress was designed in 1860 for Lady Barkly, keen botanist and fern aficionado, by Nicholas Chevalier. Made from white moire, gold brocade, and quartz nuggets it would have sparkled and shone. The designer notes that the fern leaves are embroidered, but suggests real fern leaves could be fixed to the dress...
The opulent Rippon Lea Mansion in Melbourne was built in 1868 with money from gold rush shoppers.
As well as 20 acres of garden, 33 rooms, and a viewing tower, the owner specified a large fern house to showcase his beloved collection of plants. The house still maintains a fernery today - you can view it here.
image: denisbin
In Orange NSW, Duntryleague Golf Clubhouse was originally part of the mansion home of a wealthy wholesaler. He enjoyed stables, a dairy, and orchards on his land - and to show he was a man of wealth and taste, a large fern house too.This red and green house in Junee NSW, has a darker history. Built in 1884, it is ornately decorated with cast iron lacework ferns around the entire building.
The original owner's love of ferns is preserved for us today.
images: denisbin
You don't have to create a woodland stumpery, or have acres of ornate balcony, to grow and enjoy ferns at home. Ferns are small and gentle enough to fit into any outdoor garden space - even hanging in a basket indoors. We hope this has helped you catch the Fern Fever, and inspired you to add a fern or three to your shady spaces!
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