The rare and the beautiful

Another wonderful day today, but I gave the regular walk a skip, as you might say, mostly to give the dodgy hip a rest. A great day for fiddling about in the garden, potting up, weeding pots and rewriting labels. And talking to neighbours!

This little fern seems to be very rare in cultivation. I can't remember where I got it from now that I can't look up my Arduaine accessions database. From an enthusiast, no doubt, as I don't believe that it's in the trade. 

Polystichum prescottianum is a small, deciduous fern, whose natural range is from Afghanistan to Central China. I don't know why it's not grown more as it seems hardy and easy. I split my plant into two a few years ago, but swapped one piece for another rare fern with a nurseryman at Gardening Scotland. I must split it again and try to build up a good lot of it. My extra is just a joke!

Quote of the Day:

Vera Nazarian, 'The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration' -  “The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.”