Ferns

NEW: The Victorian Fern Craze

Between 1837 and 1914 Pteridomania, or fern madness, swept through Britain. Against the background of the rise of the amateur gardener and naturalist in the nineteenth century, hundreds of books and articles encouraged a popular fascination with ferns that resulted in widespread collection and cultivation of the plant. It was so popular that from the 1850s ferns also appeared on buildings and everyday objects from carpets to greetings cards.

Sarah Whittingham traces the story of the fern craze, from the invention of the Wardian case, through tales of fern forays, to the creation of verdant ferneries in private homes and gardens. She also reveals the extent of the craze in mainstream Victorian and Edwardian society by describing the incredible variety of public places where it was considered appropriate to erect a fernery. And along the way she introduces some of the authors, nurserymen, designers and colourful characters like the ‘Itinerant Fern Vendor’, who were associated with fern mania.

Find out how to buy a copy here.