Bowdens' fern consultant Martin Rickard has been a fern enthusiast for almost 50 years. He is a past president of the British Pteridological Society and was awarded the Society's Stansfield Medal in 2004. Martin has written or co-authored five books on ferns including the RHS Wisley handbook. Martin founded Rickards Hardy Ferns in 1989 and by 2002 had accumulated over 30 RHS Gold Medals including 10 consecutive Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals. His has also won the Tudor Rose Award at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show holds the Veitch Gold Memorial Medal by the RHS in recognition of his advancement of science and the practice of horticulture. Bowdens acquired Rickards Hardy Ferns in 2011.

Ecuador's Wonderful Ferns - Martin Rickard, NatureTrek, 30 April 2012

In this Island Woodland, Stumped is Not a Bad Thing  - Valerie Easton, The Seattle Times, 25 May 2008

Frond Memories - Monty Don, The Observer, Sunday 1 September 2002