Ferns
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Native ferns are a popular choice when it comes to ground cover in shady areas. With striking foliage, nearly all season long, ferns add a beautiful backbone to your shade garden. Mix these woodland plants with other shade-loving perennials to create a dynamic landscape full of interest.
Adiantum pedatum
Adiantum pedatum, or Maidenhair Fern, is a fern producing light green whorls of circular fronds on black, thread-like stems. Maidenhair Fern prefers moist, rich, well-drained soils and part to full shade. The fern spreads slowly, and its clumps expand by … Continued
Asplenium platyneuron
Asplenium platyneuron, or Ebony Spleenwort, is an evergreen fern growing in medium yet well-drained locations. It can tolerate more sun than most ferns but prefers shade or semi-shade settings. The plant produces arching, pinnate, semi-glossy, dark green fronds. Ebony Spleenwort … Continued
Athyrium filix-femina
Athyrium filix-femina, or Lady Fern, is a fern with bright green fronds and a very lacy texture. Lady Fern prefers moist, rich soils in part sun to shade. It is one of the easiest ferns to grow and is more … Continued
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Dennstaedtia punctilobula, or Hay-Scented Fern, is a deciduous fern with pale green, twice-pinnate fronds and a very lacy texture. Hay-scented Fern gets its name from the fronds that releases a fragrance similar to fresh mown hay when brushed with hands … Continued
Dryopteris intermedia
Dryopteris intermedia, or Wood Fern, is a dry, woodland, clump growing fern. Wood Fern is a lacy evergreen fern that grows to 1-3’ tall with upright fronds to 40” long and 8” wide. Wood Fern is great for woodland or … Continued
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Matteuccia struthiopteris, or Ostrich Fern, is a 2-6 foot tall fern with erect, dark green fronds. Ostrich Ferns prefer moist to wet soils in shade to part sun. The fern generally occurs in forested wetlands or along creeks. It sometimes … Continued
Onoclea sensibilis
Onoclea sensibilis, or Sensitive Fern, is a 1-3 foot tall fern with coarsely segmented, pale green triangular frond. Sensitive Fern’s fertile fronds resemble a cluster of woody, small grapes. The fern prefers moist to wet soils in sun (if constantly … Continued
Osmunda cinnamomea
Osmunda cinnamomea, or Cinnamon Fern, is a 2-5 foot tall fern with large, densely hair fiddleheads prominent in spring. The spores on the Cinnamon Fern’s fertile fronds resemble cinnamon sticks. The fern prefers moist to wet soils in shade to … Continued
Osmunda regalis
Osmunda regalis, or Royal Fern, is a 2-5 foot tall fern with bluish-green, twice-pinnate fronds. Royal Fern naturally occurs in forested wetlands and thrives on saturated soils. The fern prefers wet to moist soils in part to full shade.
Polypodium virginianum
Polypodium virginianum, or Common Polypody, is a perennial fern producing oblong, evergreen fronds. Common Polypody prefers shaded medium soils. This fern is great for rock gardens or wild gardens as its native habitats are rocky woods, slopes, and cliffs. Common … Continued
Polystichum acrostichoides
Polystichum acrostichoides, or Christmas Fern (Evergreen), is an evergreen fern, or a plant with leaves that remain green all year long. Christmas Fern gets its name for its evergreen fronds that were used by early settlers for holiday floral arrangements. … Continued