New fern walk

Fern walk along the west path

A new fern walk has been created in the garden, along the west path (Ralph Allen Drive side of the garden), to give a lush green-fringed walk up from the Rock Gate back towards visitor reception.

The new planting will complement the woodland feel in this part of the garden. 100 native ferns have been planted, with the possibility of extending the project in the future. Species chosen by head gardener Alice Palfrey and her team are:

  • Male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas
  • Ostrich/Shuttlecock fern, Matteuccia struthioperis
  • Royal fern, Osmunda regalis
  • Common polypody fern, Polypodium vulgare
  • Hard shield fern, Polystichum aculeatum
Head Gardener Alice talks about the new fern walk about Prior Park Play Video

Garden volunteers have been working on the planting, and these new plants are getting the very best care with regular watering while they get established (involving the carrying of heavy watering cans several hundred metres from the nearest water supply!).

We’re looking forward to watching them grow and create a wonderful green border to the path.

This project was made possible thanks to a donation from the Bath Centre for the National Trust.