Fern friends

We went for an evening walk to our local bluebell wood the other day. It’s a seasonal tradition, nipping there just before dusk as the low sunlight filters through the fresh green leaves of the spring canopy.

As ever, the bluebells were wonderful – that intense blue unparalleled when seen en masse and that scent – we even spotted a deer eyeing us through the trees.

But this year I have to say that it’s the ferns that I’m beguiled by. Just look at those fronds slowly unfurling – they seem so animated and the graphic quality is quite astounding.

I’m not even fussy as to what type of fern it is – dryopteris, polystichum, asplenium – there’s something about them that can't help but draw your attention.

Returning home I noticed a postcard propped up on my mantelpiece. While other cards and invitations come and go, this has remained for eight years – and it’s of ferns – a botanical illustration from archives of the New York Botanical Garden (available as a box set of postcards from Chronicle Books). My fancy is obviously deep set.

What plants are catching your eye currently?