What exactly is a cryptogamic garden?

With regards to Greek etymology, the word crypto originates from kryptos - meaning concealed and gamic from gamos -
meaning marriage. Thus, a cryptogamic plant or a plantlike organism has a hidden reproductive system and that it
produces no seed or flowers.

Typical examples are; ferns, moss, algae and fungi, which reproduce through spores and not flowers or seed.

The most popular of the cryptogam plants to be found in the garden are ferns. In shady areas of the garden, ferns create
delicate patterns of green and they combine well with other shade loving plants such as primroses and snowdrops.

At this time of year we look forward to an abundance of brightly colours to announce the arrival of spring and early
summer and rightly so! but lets not forget those places where the sun rarely shines; colour can thrive here too.

Ferns of different types, with their cool green colours and arching fronds, can bring the beauty of a natural woodland to a
shady area and transform a corner of the garden where few other plants will survive.

However, some flowering plants will grow in similar conditions to ferns and mix well too. Other examples are:
Acanthus Mollis alongside the male fern Dryopteris fixi-mas. Dicentra spectabilis alongside Asplenium scolopendrium.
Ferns can also grow in dapple shade, as long they are shielded from the midday sun, they will grow in all soils apart from
badly drained ones and they require protection from strong winds.

Ferns look best when they are grown a suitable distance apart and the fronds do not intermingle with one another and a
fern enthusiast will use ferns alone in a shady border, mixing species of different sizes, varying shades of green and
different frond shapes.

Spring is an excellent time to plant ferns and with regards to cultivation purposes, ferns can be divided into three types:
Crown forming ferns – whose fronds emerge from a stout root in the form of a crown (Dryopteris fixi-mas).
Rhizomatous ferns – whose fronds rise up along the rhizome root, without forming a crown (Gymnocarpium dryopteris –
Oak fern).

Spleenworts – a group of ferns that grow best horizontally and ideal for rock gardens and dry-stone walls (Asplenium
trichomanes – maidenhair spleenwort).

Cryptogams are one of the oldest groups of plant species, existing since the Jurassic era and are hugely beneficial to the
eco-system of the garden. Areas with low pollution levels, high in moisture and devoid of direct sunlight is where they
thrive best.
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As the sun sits higher in the sky and the variety of colourful blossom increases within the garden, we must not neglect
the areas of shade and the vital area known as the Cryptogamic Garden.

Ground cover plants are extremely beneficial in suppressing weed growth within the garden beds and amongst the ornamental plants. However, utility does not have to be the primary function, ground cover plants are aesthetically beneficial too, with many being highly decorative in their own right. A variety of colours and textures are to be found and once established most weed seedlings that attempt to grow will be successfully smothered by the ground cover canopy, depriving them of light and competing with them for water.

Ground cover plants also have great benefits with regards to the garden location and site topography.
Where steep slopes exist and are subject to erosion, plants with a low spreading habit and vigorous root growth will provide stability to the soil, particularly after heavy rainfalls. The following are recommended:

Juniperus squamata – Blue Carpet.

Cotoneaster dammeri – Bear Berry.

Hypericum calycinum – Rose of Sharon.

A wildlife garden can benefit too with the addition of ground cover to attract the bees and butterflies, such as:

Thymus praecox – creeping thyme.

Lotus corniculatus – bird’s foot trefoil.

In dry locations and to inhibit evaporation from soil and to eliminate the use of a top surface mulch, ground cover plants should not be underestimated. A dense planting of evergreens will assist in shading the soil, keeping it cool and natural leaf decomposition will act as the mulch.
The following plants are suggested: 

Rosmarinus – rosemary

Lavandula – lavender

Cistus skanbergii – dwarf pink rockrose.

Cistus Corbariensis – hybrid rockrose.

Ground cover plants can provide colour to areas of shade, the following are examples:

Bergenia – Ballawley, elephants ears.

Euonymus fortunei – spindle emerald/gold.

Symphytum x uplandicum ‘Variegatum’

When selecting ground cover plants it is best to choose the ones of vigorous growth and that will cover their allotted space in a short duration of time. It is important that they are perennial, either evergreen all year round or emerging rapidly in spring before the unwanted weeds have a chance to set seed.

Ground cover plants are not necessarily confined to low growing, but taller shrubs of medium height can also be used to
suppress weeds beneath their own canopy and below tree canopies too, such as:

Fatsia japonica - ‘Variegata’

Cotoneaster conspicuss – Tibetan.

Prunus lauroceraus - ‘OttoLuyken’
 
There are numerous ornamental ground cover plants available that can provide great colour and interest to the garden and when preparing to plant, ensure that the ground is weed free prior to planting and take heed of the recommended spacing, as this can vary from plant to plant.

This year and the years to follow, why not reduce the weeding time and bring additional benefits to the garden by incorporating a variety of ground cover plants.

Plants which possess silver foliage can compliment a garden in many different ways, they provide a distinct contrast planted alongside green foliage and they can provide an all year round interest, brightening up an otherwise lacklustre area of the garden. But, it is not only a dull area that can benefit from the addition of a glaucous colour, a great attribute of silver/grey foliage is the ability to reflect sunlight and conserve water, this is enhanced by the hairy type foliage or a waxy texture of the leaves which many possess.

Many of theses plants are native to hot and dry areas and therefore drought tolerant, requiring low maintenance and will perform well in a full sun area of the garden with well drained soil.

Silver foliage adds elegance and a cool sophistication to the garden and can be found on large trees down to small ground cover shrubs and perennials. Eucalyptus, the snow gum tree, is one of the hardiest of Eucalyptus and the grey
tinged leaves on white twigs radiates an impression of silver, complimented by a grey /white smooth trunk.

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Queen’ is a large shrub which can grow to a height of four metres. Its latin name denotes thin leaves, these having white markings on the edges, giving an affect of a silvery foliage. It is an ideal plant for coastal areas. Popular small to mid-sized shrubs are lavender and Helichrysum, both release pleasant aromas, the latter being more known as the Curry plant due to its distinct curry fragrance.

With regards to small shrubs and perennials, there are plenty available and more to choose from. Convolvulus cneorm is a small shrub native to the mediterranean and displays silk grey hairs on its evergreen foliage, hence it being more known as the Silver Bush.  Santolina or Cotton lavender is ideal for ground cover and filling in gaps within the borders, the yellow pompom flowers provide a nice contrast with the silver fragrant foliage.

Another popular ground cover is the perennial Lambs Ear or
​. It is also known as Silver Carpet and has oval, woolly silver leaves with fine hairs and is suitable for the front of borders, covering areas with its carpet, mat forming
characteristics. There are numerous other silver foliage plants, the following are popular;

- Senecio cineraria/Silver Dust
- Sea Holly/ Eryngiums.
- Cardoon/Cynara cardunculus
- Bluebeard/Caryopteris
- Honeywort/Cerinthe major
- Rose Campion/Lychnis coronaria
- Brunnera macrophylla/Jack Frost

If not already in possession of silver leaf plants, then why not incorporate some into the garden, either in shade or full sun areas and if every cloud has a silver lining, then surely every garden should have some silver foliage.