Ranging from the more diminutive, puckered specimens to be found in the shady dells and woodlands of rural Britain, to the towering tree ferns of Australia and New Zealand, the diversity and beauty of ferns has always made them exciting to collectors

It was Thomas Moore (1821-1887) who started the British love affair with ferns. Curator of London's Chelsea Physic Garden for almost 40 years, he published many books on the subject, including Ferns of Great Britain and Ireland, which, though beautifully illustrated, sadly led to significant plundering of British species by enthusiasts.

At the same time, previously unseen tree ferns were arriving at southern English ports as ships' ballast. The stumps of Dicksonia Antarctica were routinely discarded before it was discovered that they could re-root, and today Cornwall's gardens are full of their descendants. Explorers were also bringing back exciting ferns from China, Korea, New Zealand and other parts of the world. Glass ferneries designed to protect prized specimens sprung up across the country as collectors scrabbled to own these fascinating foliage plants, and the Victorian passion for ferns took hold.

While some ferns can tolerate sun, most prefer shade. British hardy ferns can be found in sheltered areas, forest fringes and woodland, in humus-rich, moist soil. Many ferns have long plumes, such as royal and tree ferns, but others, as their names suggest, have different shapes, like the staghorn and hart's tongue ferns or the extremely rare Irish Killarney fern with its puckered and frilled edges.

HOW FERNS REPRODUCE
Ferns propagate in a different way to flowers. Spore cases on the underside of mature fronds (normally visible as brown spots and known as sori), ripen, open and release dust-like spores that travel on the breeze. On landing, they germinate in damp conditions to create an organism called a prothallus. This produces both male and female reproductive parts, and, with the aid of water, the male cells swim to the female cells, creating a fertilised egg or embryo fern that is supported by the prothallus until it is mature enough to survive on its own. The embryo develops tight croziers, which look like curled-up caterpillars. They slowly unfold, frond by frond, and finally metamorphose into an elegant fan of verdant foliage.

WHERE TO SEE FERNS
• Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS, (020) 7352 5646. A large collection of ferns in and around the recently restored Thomas Moore Cool Fernery, named after the garden's Victorian curator. Specimens include the rare Irish Killarney fern and many exciting exotics. Open April to October; call or visit the website for further details.
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewan, St Austell, Cornwall PL26 6EN, (01726) 845100. One of Europe's largest collections of tree ferns. Open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

WHERE TO BUY FERNS
• Fern Express, (0115) 930 9065. This mail-order company specialises in both hardy and half-hardy tree ferns in a range of sizes.
• Fibrex Nurseries, (01789) 720788. A wide selection of ferns and mail order available.
• The Palm Centre, (020) 8255 6191. A selection of tree ferns, including Dicksonia Antarctica, from £25 per foot of trunk, as well as other interesting varieties. Mail order available.
• Rickard's Hardy Ferns, (01248) 600385. Range includes hardy, semi-hardy, indoor and conservatory ferns plus tree ferns. Mail order available.
• Westonbirt Arboretum Plant Centre, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS, (01666) 880220. Although not a speciality, a selection of ferns is offered.

WORDS AND STYLING JACKY HOBBS
PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETT
OCTOBER 2006