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As spring unfurls, so do the ferns. Tight curls unroll into fiddleheads or croziers, which then gently open up to reveal fresh green fronds. Whether these are the giant fronds of the tree ferns or the smaller woodland ferns, there's a freshness
and a wonder to this every year.

Ferns are a remarkably diverse group of plants with over 10,000 species ranging from tall to small, deciduous to evergreen and variable in habit, colour and texture. They are also among the oldest plants, dating back over 360 million years, predating the dinosaurs, and they grew in ancient giant woodlands.

They can look wonderful as specimen plants, carpeting a woodland floor, or mixed into a shady border among hostas, their foliage adding interest and lushness.

In general, ferns prefer a shady spot with plenty of moisture. However, there are some that will manage once they have had adequate moisture in the spring. For example, the male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas and shield fern, Polystichum, will be fairly happy.

And once you give them a good start, they are remarkably robust.

In my garden, I grow tree ferns by the dozen, but you need to be somewhere coastal and southerly to do this, and even then, they may need wrapping up in winter. However, there are many wonderful hardy species in the UK that will do just fine whatever the weather. For example, Osmunda regalis is the dramatic royal fern which grows naturally in Scottish bogs.

This means that it likes to be in consistently moist, acidic soil to thrive. And when it's happy, its leaves can reach two metres in height. The emerging fronds are delicately tinged with copper, maturing to a fresh, brilliant green in summer. It's deciduous, so it will die back for the winter. There is also a cultivar called Purpurascens that is smaller in stature, has purple stems, and the juvenile fronds are purple before turning green.

Another colourful fern is the Japanese painted fern, Athyrium nipponicum var pictum, which has beautiful silvery leaves with purple midribs at the centre. This is a gorgeous plant to brighten up a dark corner.

Another favourite to mention is Matteuccia struthiopteris - this is also known as the shuttlecock fern, which is a great description. The dainty fronds are lacy and feathery, why it's also known as the ostrich fern. Plant in a damp position in dappled shade, perhaps by a pond and pair with heucheras and primulas.

Maintenance of ferns is usually minimal and involves cutting back dead fronds to tidy them up in spring. Fortunately, they are not very tempting to slugs and snails. You can lift and divide in the spring if you wish to propagate more.

Adding ferns to your plot can bring elegance, calm and texture, and a touch of ancient and primitive beauty.