Tucked beyond the Willow Pond is the Fern Glen, a collection of ferns that grow naturally in New York State. According to the collection curator Nan Williams, “It wasn’t planned.” But like many such things in life, sometimes that is fortuitous, as it was in this case. In Nan’s and Ed Miller’s publication, Ferns of the Capital Region of New York State: A Guide to Species Identification, Nan recalls that Ed planned a spur trail, but nothing was actually planted in that area. Shortly after, he was given several varieties of ferns and planted them along the spur’s stone walkway. A few seasons later, construction occurred at Willow Pond and the ferns were bulldozed over. Nan and Ed continued to focus on other parts of the trail but eventually returned to the spur to see that nature had healed itself and the ferns were flourishing. At this moment, she said, “the collection was born!” Together Nan and Ed got to work to source plants. Volunteers stepped up to donate plants and assist them in establishing the collection. The ferns were labeled, and today, the Fern Glen is a permanent adjunct to the Native Plant Trail.
If you haven’t meandered through the Fern Glen, it is an enchanting site to visit. Hand-laid field stone steps go up and down a slightly steep hillside, and along each turn another native fern is identified. The collection is shaded year-round, and occasionally woodland flowers pop up to provide a touch of color. The labels allow the amateur botanist to test their fern identification skills -- a challenge for sure. My favorite part of the trail is the uprooted exposed root system of a tree fallen on its side. It stands out like a piece of artwork in a kind of fairy kingdom.
Over the years, numerous volunteers have been inspired by the collection and pitched in to keep it growing. Family members of the late Ed Miller, as well as Nan’s family, Nick Zabawsky, the late Anne Donnelly, and, most recently, Ann Bevins have all contributed to the site, weeding and planting, and at times rearranging washed out stone steps and paths. Given its shady location, it is a comfortable spot to work in, especially on those hot and humid summer days. I asked Ann Bevins about her favorite section in the Glen. She answered with a chuckle. “My favorite section? Hah! The entire path along the steps. Everywhere you look there are ferns and wildflowers, and I love both,” she said. When I asked why she enjoys working there, she said, “First, I want to preserve the legacy Nan left – it’s my favorite section of the Arb. Also, ferns are such delicate-looking plants, yet some are incredibly tough. That makes them a tiny wonder.” She also mentioned that the collection is “fairly complete”, with almost all the ferns native to the area, but there is still more room for the collection to grow.
If you have an interest in ferns but don’t know where to start, Ferns of the Capital Region of New York State: A Guide to Species Identification will help you identify key features of our local native ferns. You can pick up a copy at Landis and, field guide in hand, meander the Fern Glen – and learn to appreciate the wondrous world of ferns.