Ferns – Information

Q: Could you recommend some books on ferns? I am very interested in using as many different kinds as possible. I live near a garden which is growing peacock fern. I would love some information on growing it in my yard as well.

A: I like “Ferns for American Gardens” by John Mickel (Timber Press, $25). I also use “A Field Guide to the Ferns of Georgia” by Snyder & Bruce (University of Georgia Press, $18) to help me identify the plants. Peacock fern is actually not a true fern, it’s a selaginella, but it thrives in the conditions ferns like.

One of the very best fern educational resources is the Georgia Perimeter College Native Plant Garden (Broken Link) in south DeKalb county. They have one of the top ten collections of ferns in the South. Volunteer experts are usually there from 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. during the week. They have regularly scheduled walks through the garden most Wednesdays. Why don’t you volunteer to help them?

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