Description
In cool, part- or dappled-shade the Oak Fern makes excellent ground cover and it really is a very beautiful small fern with lovely, dainty triangular fronds.
It spreads in a diffuse, open manner by thin, running rhizomes which love to roam through open, humus-rich soils making their singular fronds here and there. These are borne at sharp right angles to the short stems which in turn are held at right angles to the rhizomes. They reach only 15-25 cm tall and give lovely coverage without crowding the soil surface. It is ideal with Galanthus, dwarf woodland and shade orchids (there’s a Cypripedium showing in the picture) as well as making a good ground cover below larger ferns!
The Oak Fern grows across Scotland, Scandinavia and N.W. USA. It is not associated with Oaks but some species have wavy-edged leaves which are said to be reminiscent of oak leaves.
