Millais Nurseries
Ferns
We stock a small range of ferns. Perfect as understory companion planting for Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Ferns can add interesting foliage and texture to any planting scheme, they can be very versatile putting up with some of the more awkward gaps in the garden such as cooler, shadier, sheltered spots of East and North facing borders. Ferns do like to be kept moist but like Rhododendrons do not like to have their roots sat in water for long periods. If planted in a sunnier spot, we do recommend keeping them well watered in the summer months and a good mulch to help retain moisture. Most ferns are semi evergreen, but we do also stock one or two evergreen varieties.
Arachnoides aristata Variegata
East Indian holly fern(H3) An interesting evergreen fern, native to East India, with a green frond with a distinct lime green/yellow mid rift. Though classed as being hardy they may require some additional winter protection in colder areas with the help of a heavy mulch to protect the roots. Overwinter potted plants in an unheated greenhouse, or provide a deep, insulating much around their base to...
Athyrium otophorum var 'Okanum' AGM
Also known as the Eared Lady Fern
(H4) Broad, arching bipinnate leaves are a light yellow-green colour with contrasting dark purple-red stalks and midribs. A deciduous, clump-forming fern with a bushy habit. Requires a sheltered North or East facing position in partial shade. Moist well drained neutral or acid soil. 1m high and 0.5m wide in 10 years.
Dryopteris affnis 'Cristata The King'
(H5) Dryopteris affnis 'Cristata The King'. Other Common names: King Of Male Ferns, King Of The Ferns, King Of British Ferns
'Cristata The King' is one of the largest and most accommodating crested ferns it is possible to grow. A robust, nearly evergreen fern to 1.2m tall. The young fronds unfurl a golden green with rosettes of erect to arching bipinnate fronds, handsomely crested at the tips of...
Dryopteris atrata cycadina AGM
(H4) Dryopteris atrata cycadina AGM. Other Common Name The Shaggy Shield Fern
A semi-evergreen, rosette-forming fern of neat appearance, the spreading fronds, borne on scaly stalks, simply pinnate with pinnae evenly toothed or lobed.
The 'Shaggy Shield Fern' originates from Nepal and India, and will add an oriental feel to any garden.
The fronds have long midribs that resemble elephants trunks...
Dryopteris erythrosora AGM
(H4) Dryopteris erythrosora AGM. Other common name: Japanese Shield Fern
A semi-evergreen fern, forming a compact clump of broadly ovate, bipinnatifid fronds, often coppery-pink when young slowly mature to dark green. Spore-heaps are also often pink.
Easy to grow in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites and will grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly...
Dryopteris wallichiana AGM
(H5) Dryopteris wallichiana AGM. Other common name: Alpine Wood Fern
A deciduous or semi-evergreen, tuft forming fern. Bright yellowish-green when young, clothed with blackish-brown scales on the stalk and midrib.
A tough, hardy fern that is native to the Himalayas.
Easy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well
Dryoptheris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactylon' AGM
(H7) Dryoptheris filix-mas ‘Linearis Polydactylon’ AGM. Other common name: male fern 'Linearis Polydactyla'
A deciduous, bushy fern, forming large, shuttlecock-like clumps of erect to arching fronds. A male fern with mid-green fronds that have an airy, skeletal-like appearance as the pinnae are very narrow and widely-spaced; the tips of the pinnae and fronds are multi-forked. Although...
Matteucia struthiopteris AGM
(H5) Matteucia struthiopteris AGM: Other common names: Shuttlecock Fern, Ostrich Fern
A deciduous, suckering fern forming colonies of erect rosettes to 1.5m in height, with lance-shaped, bright green, bipinnatifid sterile fronds surround shorter, brownish fertile fronds.
A particularly attractive fern, it is an excellent foliage plant for moist, dappled shade and works particularly well when planted...