The definitive book on the cultivation and ornamental use of hardy ferns and their allies. Written by the Curator of Ferns at the New York Botanical Garden, it describes in an alphabetical by genus format more than 400 types of ferns and many more subspecies, varieties, and cultivars. Each entry explains the ferns habit, frond size, color, hardiness zones, and ease of cultivation, and more. There are also chapters on fern structure and propagation, lists of specific ferns suited to varying growing condition, and an extensive source list, bibliography, glossary, and index of common names.