The Silver Lady Fern likes high light but no late day sun. They can also take medium light if they are close to a window. They need to be watered several times a week lightly (I water right over the top center - seems to like this). Never let them dry out - if you do they will turn brown. Return to watering again and new fronds will appear. You can eventually cut off the older brown ones. They are a tree fern and eventually will develop a trunk. They would love being near a humidifier and never near a vent. Silver Lady's love a shady patio (morning or late day sun ok) in a humid area. They are beautiful! But they take attention. I think it's worth it though. They are truly my favorite fern. I just recently got an autumn fern so I can't tell you much about it. But I think they are not as picky about watering and humidity.

My Autumn Wood has been a disappointment. I purchased mine from Oakes, so it was good size when I got it but it has shrunk in size. Beautiful blooms, but not a lot of them. Foliage is on the small side and grassier than I expected. Plant look healthy, just small and only 1 flower stalk this year (2nd yr). Everything else I bought at the same time from Oakes has grown like gangbusters. This one could have been attacked by voles or something, but that is not usually much of a problem for me with my heavy clay soil. Once it gets cooler I plan on lifting it and will see then.

Thanks! I planted a lot more ferns and have more pics? Can anyone help identify these? One of them is a log fern but I don't know which one is. Fern 1: Fern 2: I'm pretty sure this is an Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)Just want a confirmation :) Fern 3: I think this is defiantly a sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis). It looks the least "fern-like" than all the ferns I planted IMHO. Fern 4: I think this is a lady fern (Athyrium felix-femina). It was purchased from Home Depot or Lowes. I forget which. Fern 5: From research I think this is a Japanese Painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum). It looks wonderful. I hope it grows in as it only has a few fronds. Fern 6: I know this is a Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). I just thought I would post a few pics of my new clumps. Fern 7: I'm not sure what this is. I love the shiny fronds! It has hairy (not really hair) on its stem (I'm sure it's not really a stem). Fern 8: Not sure what this is either. Fern 9: This is also a no ID fern. It is by far the largest. Very tall. Fern 10: This is a Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron). It has grown a little bit since I planted it. Here are a few pics of all the ferns. I can't wait until they grow in next year! Thanks all! T.J.

Thanks for all the comments and information! I've been overwhelmed with other business the last few days, but I got to look around for some information last night and found some very similar pieces through ARTFACT.com. Tomorrow I hope to get to the library. TrueGrits -- It's interesting that you say you have an almost identical secretary, as we spied one very similar at our neighbor's home down the street. It's very odd to come face to face with something so similar to something that you know (Or thought!) is in limited supply in this world. Although I guess this was a very popular style, given all the examples I've seen. Also, interestingly enough, last night on Ebay, I found an auction from January for the exact same book we have that dates to 1695. It sold for only $1500 or so. :( It's actually the one peice we've considered selling, but not at that kind of price! It's truly an amazing book by Otavio Scarlatini; here's just a portion of the description: "describing and depicting the human body in its details and in its entirety in every aspect conceivable, from the anatomical, rational, moral, mystical, political, legal, etc. point of view, and furtherrmore as used in emblems, morals, mystics, proverbs, language symbols, prognostications, pictures, statues, history, rites, reflections, customs, numismatics, dedications, signatures, literary allegories, epitaphs, fables, wonders, medicine, dreams, etc." Can you imagine? We got our copy from DH's brother who got it from his father who was a well-known editor in NYC in the 70's. He apparently got it from a writer friend in lieu of payment for something (?)...don't remember the details, but as I recall, there's a typed letter in the book. Or maybe that's to the writer from whomever he got it from? Dunno... Anyway, here's a link if anyone's interested: Susan Here is a link that might be useful: Homo et ejus partes figuratus & symbolicus, anatomicus....