Pteridomania: the Victorian fern craze probably from 1837 to early 1900’s. A magnificent solarium in a Victorian home with ferns and palms.
I caught the fern “illness” years ago. I have always loved the look of them and usually have one in my handpainted rattan fern “basket” which actually sits right behind me as I write my posts.
A closeup of the detail on my fern stand.
A fern fossil, they have been on Earth for over 300 million years, imagine!!!!!
The only problem is that they shed and the clean up is a full-time job! Since I’m not a Botanist I won’t try to go into the details of ferns I will leave that to you, my readers, to explore for yourselves if you want more information. I would, however, recommend the following book for your enjoyment, it is quite wonderful. I am going to fill this post with wonderful images most of which I got from Pinterest without photo credit others I will credit. Enjoy….
Covers of two vintage books on ferns. The covers alone are display worthy. Look for special vintage books at Randolph Street Market this Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27 from 10 to 5. In addition, the Printer’s Row Lit Fair is Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11.
Fiddlehead ferns, see the bottom of the post for a fiddlehead fern recipe, no longer in season, but have at the ready for next year or you can substitute asparagus!
The beauty of nature in a fern frond!
Ferns in the garden photo taken by Tom Mantel this week, glorious.
A beautiful closeup from the same garden also a photograph by Tom Mantel.
Two photos of another variety from the same garden and same photographer.
The Chicago Garfield Park Conservatory Fern Room.
From Carolyne Roehm’s garden, she is a genius with decor and gardens and thankfully shares her expertise with us in her many books…love everything she does!
Image from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
Another photo from Pinterest…love this variety.
Wallpaper image also from Pinterest photo credit unknown.
And a fern botanical fabric also Pinterest, photo credit unknown.
I am mad for this image…so much so I am using it as my screen saver on my iPhone!
Another solarium, let’s move in!!!
A silver wine caddy, yes, please!
Or pearl handle fern engraved flatware.
Or perhaps a handpainted piece of Limoges…
Or a beautiful Majolica pitcher.
A wonderful Philip Tracey hat, yes, I know a bit of a stretch….
A Vogue photo of John Galliano Dior Haute Couture Fall 2006 (I saw that Collection in Paris, it was magnificent) next to another fern variety, isn’t it a beauty!
Not necessary fern botanicals but a look you can emulate when you collect your prints.
From my collection of Botanical prints (along with other “paper”) that I collect from the Randolph Street Market vendor, Paper Patty, located on the Third Floor, don’t miss the vendors up there, it is the first place I stop each month! My photo.
My favorite of all, it looks like lace! Again from Pinterest credit unknown.
Recipe from The New York Times Cooking App (if you don’t have it get it you can save all your on-line recipes on it as well as see all their recipes, I love it, one of my favorite apps!)
Cassolette Of Morels, Fiddleheads and Asparagus
by Jennifer Lang
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: Six first-course servings
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/8364-cassolette-of-morels-fiddleheads-and-asparagus
http://www.randolphstreetmarket.com
http://www.printersrowlitfest.org
Love, love this article! I especially adore the one you have as your screensaver and the pearl handle fern engraved knives and forks.
I am a lover of ferns and had always tried to have them in my urns on my balcony at my last place. Thanks for sharing all these beautiful pics!
Thanks so much Marcia. You are #1 on the comment list. I so appreciate your support. I adore ferns and thought it would be a fun post.
Beautiful post, especially like the fern like skirts. I have found a wonderful fern, Kimberly Queen, more upright, but it does not drop leaves!
Thanks Jane, it was a fun one to research and write. Thanks for the heads up on a new fern to me. Any advice on where to get it??
I’m from Wisconsin and have found it at Home Depot stores here. Last year I found a great hanging one at a local greenhouse.
I go to Home Depot for orchids I’ll look for it. Would love one that doesn’t shed!!! Thanks so much.
Loved this post … because I love ferns too!
Thanks Karen. Talk soon.