Pteris cretica 'Albolineata'

Pteris cretica Albolineata (front) with Cyrtomium falcatum at rear

This evergreen, frost-sensitive fern, known as the Cretan brake fern (ht 45 cm), comes from tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa and Mediterranean countries, and has long, pencil-thin fingers of leaves, with silvery-white central bands. It spreads into a clump via rhizomes. Brake ferns in the wild generally grow in the shaded, damp gullies of warm-climate rainforests. Thus, in a garden setting, this fern enjoys a moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. It will grow best in full shade or partial shade. It can also be grown as an indoor pot plant - spray the leaves with water regularly to maintain humidity. This plant self-sows abundantly in my garden, even appearing on brick walls! These can be carefully detached and replanted. The rhizomes can also be divided to propagate the plant.