cultivar selection on Ferns-General
Quick answer
If your Ferns-General has cultivar selection, the most likely cause is: Ferns show remarkable variation in cultivar forms including forking/cresting of frond tips and pinnae, increased frond dissection (plumose forms), dwarfing and congestion of segments, and margin undulations. Some species like Athyrium filix-femina, Phyllitis scolopendrium, and Polystichum setiferum have hundreds of named varieties each.
Start here:
- 1. 1. Forking/cresting: select cultivars with branched frond tips (cristata, polydactyla forms)
- 2. 2. Dwarf forms: choose compact cultivars like Athyrium 'Minutissimum' for rock gardens and terraria
Why Ferns-General gets cultivar selection
Ferns show remarkable variation in cultivar forms including forking/cresting of frond tips and pinnae, increased frond dissection (plumose forms), dwarfing and congestion of segments, and margin undulations. Some species like Athyrium filix-femina, Phyllitis scolopendrium, and Polystichum setiferum have hundreds of named varieties each.
How to reverse cultivar selection on Ferns-General
- 1
1. Forking/cresting: select cultivars with branched frond tips (cristata, polydactyla forms)
- 2
2. Dwarf forms: choose compact cultivars like Athyrium 'Minutissimum' for rock gardens and terraria
- 3
3. Cruciate forms: look for Athyrium 'Victoriae' with pinnae that crisscross
- 4
4. Variegated forms: try Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' with green, gray, and burgundy coloring
- 5
5. Collect spores from unusual forms but expect variation - most cultivars do not come true from spore
Keep cultivar selection off this Ferns-General
Purchase cultivars from reputable nurseries that grow from spores (not wild-collected); seek out specialist fern nurseries like Foliage Gardens and Fancy Fronds