This section is from the book "The Florists' Manual", by William Scott. Also available from Amazon: The Florist's Manual.
Most of our ornamental ferns are too tender for decorative purposes except that splendid genus, the nephrolepis. N. tuberosa is now superseded for indoor use by N. exaltata and Bostonien-sis. The latter is one of the greatest acquisitions that we have had for decades. Whether in a mass or a large specimen, or in a large hanging basket, it is most ornamental, and receives not the slightest harm from an occasional trip to a party or ballroom. It is in fact a first-class house plant, so it must be valuable as a decorator. And again, although the Boston variety is by no means superseded by anything we have as a variety, the useful Scottii, the glorious Piersoni and the still more graceful Piersoni Elegantissima for a place where a medium size plant is wanted are most exquisite.
 
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