Suggestions for a dark, dank corner!

What about some ladies mantle too? I love them in my shady corner

 

I now have wild garlic! Popped into Blackbrooks on way home as had voucher for free hot chocolate. Just had to look round outside in gardening bit after as too hot indoors - just happened to catch sight of it very unexpectedly....well, what else could I do? Got 2 small pots which will move on into larger pots later and see how it goes.

 

This is fabulous! Thank you for the idea, I am going to have a fern corner!

 

aquilegia

 

Was going to suggest a quiet corner maybe a benchade from old tree trunk small rockery pond with running water and a little fern and natural pond plants, nice to have self time reading a book or a ebook, but is also nice for kids to sit and explore

 

Brunneras would look good

 

How about mushrooms

 

Can you use wild ferns in containers or would you recommend that buying from garden centres is the only way?

 

I have a feeling you just cant dig them up
http://www.thewildflowersociety.com/wfs_new_pages/1f_code_of_conduct.htm

 

A big scary Gunnera maybe?

 

I would recommend buying them (from where is entirely up to you ) and I do have other reasons for suggesting that (over and above the reasons stated in the link kindly provided by @Spruce )
Firstly, digging up anything from the wild (or anywhere else for that matter) could mean that you may also introduce some nasties to your own soil/environment.
Secondly, people can often mistake bracken for ferns and they can be invasive.
Thirdly, do we actually have any, genuinely, "wild" areas anymore? All land is owned by someone or some body and that means you would have to seek their permission to take anything from their land. Even without wildflower protection, that would be covered by the basic Theft Act.
And one more: generally, people tend to treasure something just that little bit more if they have paid for it.

 

If you wait long enough, in my experience, ferns will establish themselves but it may take longer than you want. I have several species in my garden, none of which I've planted and I have 8 different varieties growing in a dark area where I built a wall to retain a raised bed.

 

I have wild ferns growing by a small stream at the bottom of the garden that is fenced off (from my young daughter) I was thinking of potting them up into a shaded part of the garden that I do use? My garden is a patio garden so all my plants, shrubs and trees are in pots/containers. What do you think? I know a few of them are hearts-tongue fern but no idea of the rest.

 

You have nothing to lose so I'd go ahead. Good luck.

 

Have a look here:

http://www.fibrex.co.uk/hardy-british-ferns/