Ferns for cutting

[celrob...@btinternet.com]

Hello all,

I'm going to be trialling some ferns for cutting this year, and just wondered if anyone has experience of this?  Do you have any favourite varieties, or a particular cultivar that has great vase life? Any varieties that should be avoided? Thanks for your tips in advance!

Cel
Forever Green Flower Company

[Carol Siddorn]

I haven't grown ferns specifically for cutting, tho am going to this year too. I have several varieties of Dryopteris & Polystichum around, all semi evergreen and all cut well once they have hardened up, around midsummer. I also cut wild ones around here, not sure what they are but Prob Polystichum male fern. I also cut bracken in autumn when changing colour & when brown, also grows wild. The only one I tried which I couldn't get to stand in water was hardy maidenhair, but I didn't try again it late in season. Just don't expect to use them before say mid July. The semi evergreens are still ok, I cut some yesterday! Any of the male/shield types give long ferns stems. D. erythrosa is smaller, not so strong growing.
Carol