Vibrant yellow daffodils and radiant red tulips light up a room. But spring woodland flora in a terrarium brings cool, fresh intrigue.
In London in 1827 Dr. Nathaniel Ward accidentally discovered the "fern" case when attempting to watch a chrysalis evolve in a glass jar. Seedlings began to sprout in the jar and Dr. Ward concluded that healthy ferns could be grown in London, if protected from the polluted air.
The Wardian case or terrarium became fashionable in the U.S. in the early 1860's and graced most Victorian homes.
Dr. Ward's book, On the Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed Cases is still available here.