Photos by Laura Arsie

TATTING FERN (Athyrium filix-femina ?Frizelliae?)
One of my favourites, this eye-popping fern has fan-shaped leaflets that twist around the stem. It was discovered in Ireland in 1857 (a time when all young ladies did tatting) in the garden of a Mrs. Frizell. Zone 4.

Combine with: Asian mayapple (Podophyllum), European ginger (Asarum europaeum) and glossy-leaved hostas, all perfect foils.