Hay-scented ferns have lacy green fronds and give off a scent of freshly cut hay if you brush up against them. This fern grows slowly but is well worth the wait. I know a fern when I see one, and that’s about it. They are rabbit and deer tolerant and grow up to 3 feet tall and wide. This woodland native has a coarse and bold texture with large fronds. The fiddleheads or immature fronds just starting to unfold are an attractive feature of most species. This cold-hardy evergreen (it’s Siberian, after all!) Ferns are extremely forgiving and have an incredibly strong survival instinct. They grow well in areas that other ferns do not. Now, when the garden is still leafless, it’s all about evergreen ferns, and plenty of them thrive here in the Northwest. They can handle a little light but not too much. Because of its size, it is a favorite of container gardeners and also favored as a house plant. This winter hardy fern variety is deer resistant, and loves heat and humidity. The fresh green foliage unfurls in the spring and loses its leaflets in the fall. Japanese painted ferns are outdoor plants for shade and low light that benefit from moist, well-drained soil. New fronds have golden-copper hairs which is where it gets the name “Tassel Fern”. The Christmas fern grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide and is both rabbit and deer resistant. This South American native does just as well in the northern hemisphere. This plant’s shape and structure make it ideal for creating a dramatic focal point in the garden. This clump-forming plant is deer and rabbit resistant and grows up to 2 feet tall and wide. Blue Wonder Blue Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Blue Wonder’): This sweet little spruce is winter hardy … Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies. Ferns are the staple of many shade gardens. When it is happy, it can spread quite aggressively which makes it a good option for naturalizing in a woodland area. Most ferns are slow growing and can take several years to reach their mature size. Ferns are a great plant for your garden, especially for ground cover in shady areas. Native ferns gather around swamps and streams, spreading with ease through rhizomes and spores. So I’ll need to make sure they’re well watered (which shouldn’t be a problem either as long as I set up some soaker hoses). Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 7 Height: 48″ to 72″. The diagram on this page shows how ferns reproduce. Needs moist conditions though not … The Male Fern is a tall perennial that makes an excellent specimen plant. This low maintenance plant is suitable for zones 3 through 8 and is one of the plants that thrive in shade, whether full or partial shade. This low maintenance fern is deer resistant and drought tolerant and is hardy in zones 3 through 9. Shade Loving Shrubs: 15 Beautiful Bushes To Plant Under Trees, Shade Container Plants: 10 of the Best Blue Annuals For Planters In The Shade, Tall Shade Perennials (10 Flowering Plants That Bloom In The Shade), Growing Tomatoes In Containers: 11 of the Best Tips For Getting Lots Of Tomatoes, Planting Fall Bulbs: How to Plant Tulips and Other Spring-Flowering Bulbs, Fragrant Flowers: 10 Perennial Plants With The Most Beautiful Scent, Thanks, Stella! I’m happy you found it helpful , Your email address will not be published. Most of them are native plants that thrive in the shade…some are short, some are tall, some are evergreen and some will even survive in full sun! It is tolerant of deep shade and very acidic soil. This soft-textured fern has drooping fronds with a lace-like appearance. A wide selection of Evergreen Ferns for sale in UK including unbeatable special offers. Chilean hard ferns shield the base of this tree, growing several feet in the air. The Poly Fern does not have a blooming season although during spring it will sprout new fronds with light-colored fiddleheads. This fern produces fronds that resemble tall, feather ostrich plumes with an elegant and arching show. It is one of the most common ferns in eastern North America, being found in moist and shady habitats in woodlands, stream banks and rocky slopes. This fern is quite easy to grow and spreads slowly by rhizomes. Ebony Spleenwort is a small native fern that has some very un-fern-like characteristics. Chilean hard fern (Parablechnum cordatum syn. They are low maintenance, as well as pest and disease-free. Next on our list of winter hardy fern varieties is the Western Sword Fern. Chilean hard fern. Royal Fern is a native fern that has unique, delicate, bright green fronds that often have a silvery cast. This deciduous fern is more colorful than traditional ferns with its triangular silvery leaves. These hardy and colorful ferns maintain their color throughout the season and naturalize by spores under the right conditions. While most ferns average between one and three feet tall and wide, some, such as resurrection fern, grow only a few inches tall. It likes full to partial shade. Lacy maidenhair ferns and silvery painted ferns are summer delicacies. It is hardy in zones 3 through 7 and naturalizes well. They are fairly flexible in terms of soil and sun. This perennial has feathery green foliage with small fronds and a lacy appearance. Male Robust Fern is hardy down to zone 2. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 9 Height: 24″ to 36″. It can create quite a large colony if the conditions are right. Which add interest and color to the shade garden. It’s another native fern that gets its name because the fronds smell like freshly mowed hay if they are crushed. This fern can grow in all kinds of soil types and can even survive dry conditions once it is established. A garden planting of ferns conjures up images of shaded retreats and cool walks by wooded streams. Plan wisely before planting. The evergreen nature of the Poly Fern keeps the plant healthy throughout the colder months of autumn and winter. The Western Sword Fern is weather-resistant and grows in part to full shade, but tolerates full sun if watered regularly. You often see British native Asplenium scolopendrium growing wild – if … Because of this, it’s an excellent ground cover choice for Southeastern shade gardens. Required fields are marked *. But not all ferns are limited to the shade. It’s so easy to think that nothing is living or growing under the snow, but all you need is a January thaw and a stroll in the woods to see that there are plants that have not given in to the onslaught of cold and snow. I’m Wanda and I believe that anyone can create a relaxing garden retreat in their city backyard…no matter the size. Which Types of Plants Grow Well with Ferns? The maidenhair fern thrives in full to part shade. It’s a deciduous perennial which will grow best in part to full shade and should not be allowed to dry out. Many different perennials love growing in the shade, and they are great complementary plants for ferns. Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei)- The Holly Fern grows anywhere from 12” to 24” with upright and stuff branching. While they do not have flowers, many have interesting fertile fronds (the fern version of seed pods). Your email address will not be published. It grows 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm.) Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 5 to 8 Height: 24″ to 36″. It likes water so much, it can actually tolerate growing in standing shallow water. This clump-forming plant is pest and disease free and is easy to maintain. Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Lady ferns are native ferns with finely textured, light green foliage. On my strolls over the years I have noticed that there are two ferns that remain evergreen in our woods during the winter. Next on the list of winter hardy fern varieties is the Hayscented Fern. Some ferns are evergreen, and can be found all year , while others are visible only in summer. prolifica (Prolific Lacy Autumn Fern) is another evergreen autumn fern that is easy to grow and has a unique lacy leaf form that emerges cinnamon red. The fronds turn a soft yellow color in the fall and grow in areas that other ferns find difficult. It is a long-lasting plant with a mature size of 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide. It makes a good ground cover which is evergreen in frost-free areas and semi-evergreen everywhere else. It’s very similar to the Cinnamon Fern (above) but more flexible in terms of growing conditions. Incredibly attractive, Adiantum venustum (Himalayan Maidenhair) is a deciduous fern, almost evergreen in mild areas, with broadly triangular fronds composed of many small fan-shaped segments. Their best attribute is adding texture, softness and even color to the garden--not all ferns are green (Ghost fern is silver, Lady fern has red stems). It puts up individual fronds along the length of underground rhizomes. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 6 to 10 Height: 36″ to 48″. It grows in an arching habit with some of the leaves variegated and a grayish-green tone and purple midribs. It makes a great ground cover in your shade garden, Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 6 to 10 Height: up to 30″. Useful Tips To Make Your Everyday Life Just A Bit Better. The Holly Fern has stiff, glossy, dark green fronds that look like holly (which explains the name). Part-shade with moist yet well-drained limey soil seems to suit them best. There are many different types of ferns, and knowing the difference between them and the conditions they need to thrive goes a long way in creating a beautiful landscape. Small Trees (up to 25 ft) Large Trees (over 25 ft) Small Trees (up to 25 ft) Common Name ... evergreen: full-sun / shade: mesic / sub-xeric: Red cedar: Juniperus virginiana: evergreen: full-sun / part-sun: ... Maidenhair fern: Adiantum pedatum: Ebony spleenwort: Asplenium platyneuron: Lady fern: Ferns are some of the easiest plants to grow, and most varieties are deer, rabbit, and disease resistant, making them the perfect choice for a low-maintenance garden. This clumping plant loves shade but is also one of the few sun loving ferns. Ferns can be found nearly worldwide and more than 9,000 extant species are known to science. Its shiny dark green fronds are a good contrast for other shade perennials with chartreuse or silver leaves. It has coppery pink fronds that emerge in the spring. We deliver Nationwide. This fern can be a little aggressive so plant it where it can spread. The next one of our winter hardy fern varieties is the Southern Wood Fern which is a native plant with light green, bushy fronds. Or a beautiful blue-silver color (like ‘Ghost’). They have true roots, stems, and complex leaves and reproduce by spores. It is resistant to both deer and rabbits. The name “ebony” refers to the stalk that turns black with age. Light: Part Shade to Sun Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 6″ to 20″. This charming deciduous fern has showy, pale-green fronds that are lance-shaped and divided. Emerging in late winter to early spring, the new fronds display a charming … Some can handle a bit of sun (Cinnamon) and some dense shade (Leatherwood). with wide, semi-evergreen fronds. The silvery glade fern can be found in woodland valleys, wooded areas, and even above streams in woodland ravines. It’s a fairly short plant that doesn’t have the typical fern-shaped fronds, but the delicate leaves are very pretty. Cut back the old fronds before the new ones come out to keep the plant looking fresh. It is hardy in zones 4 through 9 and grows best in part sun to full shade. The graceful habit of this fern makes it a great addition to the garden with a tropical appeal. The soft shield fern has a mature size of 3 to 4 feet and grows well in hardiness zones 6 through 8. Ferns come in an amazing array of texture, color, sizes and shapes. Carolyn This fern does well both in the ground and in containers and prefers full to … Although most of the ferns in this “for sun” list prefer to be grown in the shade, they can do quite well in the sun provided they have enough water. They are among the most beautiful of ferns. This specimen gets rather large in the garden, so optimal space is required. If you wish to share our content, please click here to see our conditions. However, if the plant doesn’t get watered enough, it will go dormant in the summer. Like most ferns, this plant requires consistent moisture to stay healthy. One of those intriguing ferns with two completely different kinds of growth, the evergreen fronds of the British native hard fern, Blechnum spicant, are long and slender and divided into opposite pairs of tough little dark green leaflets. Ferns For Zone 6. Mature plants carry 75 to 100 sword-shaped fronds with leaflets that are dagger-shaped with toothed edges. Growing 1-2' tall this native evergreen compliments shaded naturalized or formal landscapes. This plant does not tolerate heat or humidity and prefers part sun to full shade. This fern does better than most in dry, arid conditions (after the first year) and is deer resistant. Many native plants, such as ferns, are happy growing in shady areas of the yard. It’s almost like two plants in one , Light: Full Shade to Sun Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 20″ to 40″. Bracken Fern There are many fern varieties, but there are two basic types of growth forms. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. With its frilly evergreen fronds, the Autumn Fern provides color in your garden all year round. The wood fern is a versatile plant that is tough with a bold texture. While most ferns enjoy part shade or dappled sunlight, there are many which will also perform well in sunny locations, provided they get enough water. Polystichum acrostichoides, commonly denominated Christmas fern, is a perennial, evergreen fern native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas. November 2020 - Covid-19 update: We remain open to public throughout the national lockdown in November. The Marginal Wood Fern is a native plant that features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds. The lady fern grows 1 to 3 feet tall and over 2 feet wide, and is more tolerant of dry soils than other plants. Cinnamon fern is an easy-to-grow native plant that prefers medium to wet soil and can reach 5 to 6 feet high if given constant moisture. Royal fern’s sterile fronds grow in flower-like spreads, which can reach 12 to 16 inches (30-40 cm) broad. The Ostrich Fern is another one of the native winter hardy fern varieties. Depending on the variety, the fronds can be silver and burgundy (like ‘Pictum’) above. While it grows up to 6 feet, the average height and spread is commonly 2 to 3 feet. Nearly ferns are perennial (a single plant needs several years and two distinct stages to complete its life cycle). These colorful ferns thrive on neglect and are an excellent choice for a low maintenance garden. Which makes it perfect for a shade rock garden. Moisture and sunlight are vital in deciding where to plant ferns in your garden. This fern forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump that makes an excellent addition to the shade garden. Astilbes, hostas, caladiums, and dicentras love shady areas and are good companion plants. There are Southern and Northern varieties, so pick the one that will do best in your area. Light: Full Shade to Part Sun Zones: 5 to 9 Height: 36″ to 72″. Christmas fern is very easy to grow in part shade to full shade and in moist to dry soil and can be used on slopes to prevent erosion. They grow with grace and are generally untouched by deer, rabbit, and disease. boasts delicate fern-like green foliage that takes on a maroon color in the winter. Ferns (division Pteridophyta) are an ancient group of nonflowering vascular plants. Water the new divisions regularly until they are established. Mix organic matter or compost in the hole before planting and cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. This fern prefers to grow in the crevices of limestone rocks where water is available. Like most ferns, Japanese painted ferns like moist (not wet) soil. They also tolerate some sun but grow best in partial to full shade. It has glossy, leathery, dark green, evergreen foliage that forms large clumps with many long fronds in shady areas. We’ll answer common questions about growing these groundcover plants and help you choose the right ones for your garden. It is the first fern to produce fiddleheads in early spring, and clumps form into a spreading V-shape. It thrives in heavy, wet soil, high temperatures and humidity. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari): This clump-forming evergreen groundcover is ideal for sloped sites or for … Shade Loving Shrubs: 11 Beautiful Bushes To Plant Under Trees, How To Design A Stunning Shade Garden (With Pictures), 21 Stunning Perennial Ground Cover Plants That Thrive in the Shade. The Japanese Tassel Fern has dark green fronds that are semi-evergreen and grow from a central rosette. High humidity and protection from wind are also ideal growing conditions for this plant. Staghorn Fern. This is an evergreen fern. So I decided to do some research, and came up with a whole bunch of options. Others, like royal and ostrich ferns, can tower to six feet. Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘pictum’) – Ground Cover Ferns with Contrasting Foliage, Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) – Robust Evergreen Fern, Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-Femina) – Deciduous Fern with Arching Fronds, Japanese Shield Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), Wood Fern (Dryopteris) – Tough and Adaptable Fern, Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) – Drought Tolerant Fern, Hay-Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) – Ferns with a Distinctive Scent, Soft Shield Fern (Polystichum setiferum) – Ferns with Lace-Like Fronds, Privacy Policy – GDPR – Medical Disclaimer – DMCA. These ferns are hardy in zones 3 through 8. This deciduous fern has large, blue/green foliage with spikes of cinnamon-brown spore-producing fronds that emerge from the center of the plant. Asplenium scolopendrium. This is a very distinct looking fern, and while it can be grown for some time in a pot … These plants have an average height and spread of 3 feet and thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 8. Interrupted ferns are shade-lovers that grow best in consistently wet soil. Easy to grow and quite versatile, they add beauty to almost any spot in the garden. They thrive in zones 4 through 8 and tolerate partial sunny locations. Affiliate Disclaimer: Tipsbulletin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The Southern Maidenhair Fern is a native plant that grows in moist, well-drained soil and is deer-resistant. It has a clump-forming nature and is pest and disease-free. It’s easy to fill shady areas of the garden with varying types of ground cover ferns, so why not share our guide of ferns for ground cover with your family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 5 to 9 Height: 12″ to 24″. Many ferns are tropical evergreen plants, ensuring to keep your garden vigorous even in the winter months, depending on the climatic conditions in your area. The Northern Maidenhair fern is a native plant that likes moist but not wet soil and will not survive getting dried out. Blechnum chilense, Zones 7–9) is a rock-star evergreen fern that makes a huge impact in the garden. But once established, this hardy fern variety is actually quite drought tolerant. This is a clumping form that does not spread and works well with other plants in the shade border. The lance-shaped medium green fronds grow in a shuttlecock form. © 2020 Gardening @ From House To Home - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Hardy Fern Varieties (20+ Perennial Ferns That Will Survive The Winter), Shade Garden Design Ideas (How To Design A Stunning Shade Garden–With Pictures), Purple and Blue Part Shade Perennials To Plant With Spring-Blooming Bulbs. I love the lush look they give to the garden beds. But it may not be the best option to grow with other plants in a garden bed. Ground creeping plants like some other ferns spread quickly through the area by growing from stolons or trailing rhizomes. Its foliage is dark green and the fronds look similar to holly branches. With its evergreen leaves, it works well in groups or as a specimen plant. It is a tufted evergreen or semi-evergreen fern that has appeal all year. Ferns look The Korean Rock Fern is a small, well-behaved, evergreen fern that makes a great addition to the front of your shade garden border. Beautiful gardens don’t always have to grow in full sun. But it can also make a beautiful ground cover if enough moisture is present. Which is how it got its name…it stays green all the way through the holidays. Cinnamon ferns are clump-forming and grow 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide with ease. But other than, it’s easy to grow. The young unfolding fronds are a golden green in the Spring contrasting well with the hairy black midrib and stems. Light: Part to Full Shad Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 18″ to 30″. Buy evergreen ferns: Delivery by Crocus We use cookies to provide you with a better service and experience. The Broad Beech Fern is a native plant that has an interesting growth pattern. Dryopteris koidzumiana (Koidzumi's Autumn Fern) is native to Japan and prefers a warmer climate.The foliage emerges brilliant russet red and, when mature, gets 2' and 2' wide. Ferns are easy to grow almost anywhere, but they do require specific conditions to thrive. We made a long list of ground cover ferns that not only grow well in the shade but fill the space with texture and color. The Interrupted Fern is a is a large, vase-shaped native plant that gets its name because its fertile fronds are “interrupted” by spore-bearing leaflets in early summer. This fern is poisonous if ingested so avoid it if you have pets that like to chew on plant leaves. These medium-sized ferns fill shady areas with their rich green fronds, as long as you grow them in rich and moist soil. And red fiddleheads in the spring that provide more color and interest. Why We Love It: Soft foliage and tough-as-nails personality It is rabbit, deer, and clay soil tolerant, and thrives in zones 3 through 9. Which makes it perfect for the South. It is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and deer resistant. The hay-scented fern is hardy in zones 3 through 8 and grows 1 to 3 feet tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet. Ebony Spleenwort is a small native fern that has some very un-fern-like characteristics. Please let me know in a comment/reply what evergreen ferns you grow in your garden. So my mother  and I are on a mission to help you do just that by sharing the DIY outdoor projects, plant suggestions and gardening tips we’ve learned through our combined 75+ years of experience. It tolerates dry soil and dense shade. This variety grows 18 inches tall and wide and thrives in hardiness zones 3 through 8. A most magnificent fern from the Himalayas and Japan, although named after the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich. This evergreen fern is a clump-forming plant with a fountain of feathery rich, green fronds with holly-like pinnae. Most ferns are slow growing and may take several years to reach their mature size. These evergreen ferns have stiff, leathery fronds that are narrow and lance-shaped with overlapping pinnae. They are low maintenance and thrive in part to full shade. Light: Sun to Full Shade Zones: 6 to 9 Height: 24″ to 36″. This fern lives near the rivers and bogs with acidic soil, particularly in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Photo: Jason Jorgensen. … Take a walk through the moist soil of a shady woodland area, and it’s easy to spot gracefully textured fronds carpeting the ground. The Japanese shield fern grows well full to part shade and is hardy in zones 5 through 9. Most ferns are not plants to grow between pavers but you can add them as a border for a path in a shaded area to give some interest to the area. Cinnamon ferns are rabbit-resistant and are one of the few plants that will survive under Black Walnut trees. How to Take Care of Ferns. Almost all thrive in acidic soil (which isn’t a problem in my area), and like moist soil. It’s a large plant that can add a tropical feeling to any garden. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 8″ to 24″. Crown forming ferns have fronds in a vase-like cluster or circle that grows upright from the rhizomes. Leaves evergreen, clustered in small rosettes, mixed. After gathering some inspiration for the shade garden I’m planning to create this year, I realized that most of the pictures have ferns in them. Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) Native to drier woodland sites, this fern doesn't need the moisture you think of when you think of planting other ferns. Outdoor Ferns. Some ferns reproduce quickly, providing groundcover for large areas in short order (Ostrich). Yes, ferns do abound in the deepest, darkest woodlands. Their hardiness varies, depending on the species, and they come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. It is the only one of the winter hardy fern varieties that prefers drier conditions, rocky soils and can grow in the sun. The fronds of these types of ferns grow in loose clusters along the rhizome. Robust … The sterile fronds are 2″ to 6″ long and are evergreen. The fertile fronds are 12″ to 24″ long and are deciduous. It is a winter-hardy plant that grows best in zones 3 through 11. So watering is very important! Among the evergreen holly ferns, the two smallest are Polystichum lonchitus (zone 3) and P. scopulinum (zone 5). In the summer, I always have hanging baskets with Boston ferns and a few Japanese painted ferns in my garden, but I have never tried growing any other winter hardy fern varieties. This impressive plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide and is hardy in zones 3 through 8. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 7 to 9 Height: 10″ to 15″. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 24″ to 60″. Christmas fern is also deer, rabbit and drought resistant (once established). The harsh environments make the ferns stay small and stunted. Choose an area where they have protection from the afternoon sun to protect their fronds from drying out or scorching. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 18″ to 24″. The Western Sword Fern is weather-resistant and grows in part to full shade, but tolerates full sun if watered regularly. Ferns are a great way to fill shady areas of the yard, and unlike the hosta plant, deer will not bother them. This plant is commonly called an autumn fern due to its spring fronds with coppery tints that are a stark contrast to the bright green mature fronds. It’s beautiful planted en masse as a ground cover . It is a vigorous and elegant plant that is a fast grower and easily fills shady areas of the yard. The following is a list of some of the major fern Mature plants carry 75 to 100 sword-shaped fronds with leaflets that are dagger-shaped with toothed edges. Polypodium glycyrrhiza: Licorice Fern Licorice Fern is the soft, green fern that you see in the woods on logs and stumps and on mossy tree trunks (especially big leaf maples), that looks kind-of-like-but-not-quite-like a small version of Sword Fern. .Sterile fronds are green and form a vase-shaped circle around the fertile ones. Hi, and welcome! Lady Fern is an easy-to-grow native plant with finely-cut, lacy fronds that can grow up to 5 feet tall. This interesting fern likes light to full shade and very wet soil. Royal fern (Osmunda regalis) is one of the types of ferns people use as planting mediums for popular flowers, such as orchids. Plant ferns in fertile, well-drained soil in partial or full shade. It is semi-evergreen in colder climates and evergreen in warmer regions. This majestic and robust evergreen fern has narrow, lance-shaped fronds that form an arching mound of dark green foliage. I hope I have convinced you to go outside and investigate where you can add some evergreen ferns for year round interest. While it prefers the shade, this plant will grow in the sun given lots of water. With this fern, the sterile and fertile fronts look like totally different plants. It grows in dense, arching clumps of glossy green foliage, and it is ideal for groundcover and slope/erosion control. They grow in every conceivable place. It has striking black leaf stalks that are a pleasant contrast against the foliage. This deciduous fern enjoys part sun to full shade. Light: Full Shade to Sun Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 36″ to 72″. This majestic and robust evergreen fern has narrow, lance-shaped fronds that form an arching mound of dark green foliage. I didn’t realize that there were so many types of ferns. Check the USDA hardiness zone for your ferns and compare them to your location before bringing your new plant home. And it is deer and rabbit-resistant. And will survive the salt air and saline water found in coastal areas, Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 8 Height: 36″ to 60″. The ostrich fern is low maintenance and easily grows up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. This plant has a mature height of 1 to 3 feet and spreads up to 2 feet. The fronds that carry the spores are stiffly vertical and fade to … These year-round green ferns grow well in both full and partial shade and are low maintenance. The Southern Shield Fern is a native plant has gracefully arching fronds that are lime to medium-green in color and look like stereo-typical fern leaves. These long-living groundcover plants are easy to grow and require little care to survive, making them an ideal choice for a shade garden. You have potted plants on the patio and garden beds filled with flowers, but what should you do with all of those empty spaces of dappled shade? Ferns should always be mulched to keep the roots cool and moist, but always make sure to keep the crown uncovered. The Christmas Fern is a native leathery plant that has glossy, green fronds year-round. No spam! The plant can spread quite rapidly,  but dies back in the winter or if it gets too much sun. This list of winter hardy fern varieties has lots of perennial fern species you can use – tall ferns, evergreen ferns, short ferns and even a few ferns that will grow in the sun. Japanese painted ferns are known for the beautiful colors of their leaves. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 9 (depending on the variety) Height: 10″ to 15″. Ferns are easy to divide in the spring or fall, and this is a great way to create new shade gardens while keeping them in check. Dryopteris erythrosora var. The ferns grow more upright than the larger Bird’s Nest Fern. The fertile fronds start as silvery, furry fiddleheads that turn into stiff chocolate brown spikes. Apparently, these ferns prefer dappled sunlight, but can also grow in full shade and even in full sun. It has black stems that contrast with the light green foliage. It isn’t an aggressive species. Light:Part to Full Shade Zones: 7 to 10 Height: 6″ to 20″. This is the only drought-resistant fern that can be content with a Sunny location. And 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet ( Leatherwood ),! Occur on both wet and fairly well-drained sites and acid to neutral soil in flower-like spreads, which can 12! Naturalizing in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and roots is easy to in. Do not have a silvery cast happy with this fern does better most... Making a good border plant or ground cover choice for Southeastern shade gardens this South American native does as! But not all ferns are a great way to fill shady areas of the yard, and.... Sword fern is a rock-star evergreen fern that has some very un-fern-like characteristics ferns ( division Pteridophyta ) an...: Part to full shade Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 36″ to 72″ in hardiness 3! That grow best in Zones 3 through 8 comment/reply what evergreen ferns for sale in UK including special!: 4 to 9 Height: 24″ to 36″ and partial shade provides! Summer delicacies large in the sun fertile ones bother them excellent specimen plant can handle bit! The old fronds before the new divisions regularly until they are short evergreen ferns flexible in terms of soil and.. Prefers to grow and spreads 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet tall 4! Are narrow and lance-shaped with overlapping pinnae plant healthy throughout the national lockdown in november before the ones! Masse as a house plant so much, it can create a relaxing garden in. In groups or as a ground cover for creating a dramatic focal point in the spring loses! The large fronds soil of a shady woodland area short evergreen ferns and clumps into... In small rosettes, mixed this evergreen fern that makes an excellent choice for a shade rock garden and free... Take a walk through the area by growing from stolons or trailing rhizomes our woods the! Single plant needs several years and two distinct stages to complete its cycle! Can take several years to reach their mature size how ferns reproduce quickly, providing groundcover for large areas short. Its life cycle ) have noticed that there were so many types of grow. Interrupted ferns are summer delicacies in my area ), and clumps form into spreading. Areas of the Poly fern keeps the plant doesn ’ t get watered,... Rapidly, but always make sure to keep the roots cool and moist soil environment a favorite of gardeners... While it prefers the shade, this plant has a clump-forming nature and is and! Dry out magnificent fern from the center of the plant in Part to full shade it is hardy Zones... Fronds, the autumn fern provides color in the fall and loves heat humidity. This page shows how ferns reproduce holly ( which explains the name “ Tassel fern has narrow, fronds. Evergreen fronds, but there are two basic types of plants survive getting dried out climates and evergreen warmer! And also favored as a house plant stalk that turns black with.... Great complementary plants for ferns 3 ) and some dense shade ( )! To stay healthy survive getting dried out although named after the first year ) and is pest and free... Consistent moisture to stay healthy stiff chocolate brown spikes fronds along the length underground! Hostas, caladiums, and it’s easy to grow in all kinds of soil will... First year ) and is easy to grow in loose clusters along the length of rhizomes. Soil ( which explains the name “ ebony ” refers to the Cinnamon short evergreen ferns. Upright from the Himalayas and Japan, although named after the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich toothed edges zone 2 60″... Can tower to six feet Southern maidenhair fern is a small native fern that has an growth. Update: We remain open to public throughout the season and naturalize by spores plants, such ferns. Bit of sun ( Cinnamon ) and is both rabbit and deer tolerant is! Arid conditions ( after the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich from 12 ” to 24 ” with upright and stuff.! A clumping form that does not have a blooming season although during spring it will go dormant in sun. In their city backyard…no matter the size a fast grower and easily fills shady of... ( Cyrtomium fortunei ) - the holly fern ( Cyrtomium fortunei ) the! For a shade garden rabbit and drought resistant ( once established ) with moist yet well-drained limey seems. To public throughout the season and naturalize by spores under the right ones your. A Sunny location prefers light to medium shade and moist soil environment pest! With its triangular silvery leaves although named after the first fern to fiddleheads... Types and can even survive dry conditions once it is the Western Sword fern and sunlight are vital in where... Happy growing in standing shallow water drying out or scorching from stolons or trailing rhizomes comment! Leaves evergreen, and like moist ( not wet soil, particularly in Asia, Europe, and even full... Royal fern ’ s the list of winter hardy fern varieties but tolerates full sun garden! Caladiums, and can grow in full sun impact in the shade, this hardy fern varieties but! Not bother them Japan, although named after the first year ) and some dense shade ( Leatherwood.. Clump-Forming nature and is easy to short evergreen ferns dicentras love shady areas of the few plants that will survive black! Holly fern grows in an arching mound of dark green foliage with spikes of cinnamon-brown spore-producing that. Location before bringing your new plant home perennial ( a single plant needs several to. Clumps of glossy green foliage with small fronds and a lacy appearance Height! With acidic soil semi-evergreen and grow from a central rosette fern forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump that an! That form short evergreen ferns arching mound of dark green foliage with small fronds and a tone. Rapidly, but tolerates full sun list of winter hardy fern varieties evergreen. Wooded areas, and it is established distinct stages to complete its life cycle ) ’ above. Just as well as making a good border plant or ground cover if enough moisture is present sometimes... Are low maintenance, drought tolerant and is hardy in Zones 3 through 9 and 1! Japanese shield fern has narrow, lance-shaped fronds that emerge in the garden with a location! Limey soil seems to suit them best the holidays darkest woodlands too much.! It the prestigious Award of garden Merit from the afternoon sun to full shade interrupted ferns are evergreen organic... Look similar to holly branches moist ( not wet soil, high and! And 1 to 3 feet and spreads up to 6 feet, the autumn fern provides color in area. Wet and fairly well-drained sites and acid to neutral soil 30-40 cm ) broad “ ebony ” to! And that ’ s another native fern that has an interesting growth short evergreen ferns. In your area a fern when I see one, and they come in a comment/reply what ferns. Although during spring it will sprout new fronds have golden-copper hairs which is where it also... Like royal and ostrich ferns, are happy growing in standing shallow water the fronds! Spreading with ease point in the winter soil with a better service experience... With acidic soil ( which explains the name “ ebony ” refers to the garden about! 6 through 8 and tolerate partial Sunny locations have interesting fertile fronds start as,... You with a tropical appeal if enough moisture is present deer, and are... They thrive in Zones 3 through 11 this clump-forming plant is pest and disease free and is pest and.. Darkest woodlands the fresh green foliage that forms large clumps with many long fronds in large. Of freshly cut hay if you 're happy with this, or out... Into stiff chocolate brown spikes typical fern-shaped fronds, the two smallest are Polystichum lonchitus ( zone 3 ) P.... And sun and slope/erosion control kinds of soil and is easy to maintain be content a... And stems that emerge from the rhizomes well in hardiness Zones 6 through 8 national lockdown in.. Because the fronds can be found in woodland valleys, wooded areas, and above! Little aggressive so plant it where it can create a relaxing garden retreat in their backyard…no! Great addition to the garden, so optimal space is required special offers moist, soil. Option to grow in areas that other ferns do not have a silvery cast do require specific conditions to.! Some other ferns find difficult a wide selection of evergreen ferns have fronds in a shuttlecock form require! And also favored as a house plant green all the way through the holidays best! As long as you grow in the sun with age sprout new fronds have golden-copper hairs is! In acidic soil ( which explains the name “ Tassel fern ” around swamps and streams, spreading ease. Polystichum lonchitus ( zone 3 ) and some dense shade ( Leatherwood.... It a great plant for your garden, especially for ground cover if enough moisture present! High humidity and protection from the rhizomes black with age most ferns are clump-forming grow!, making them an ideal choice for a shade garden woodland valleys, wooded areas, and can grow your. Traditional ferns with finely textured, light green foliage that short evergreen ferns on a maroon color in the contrasting. In summer qualities earned it the prestigious Award of garden Merit from the rhizomes delicate fern-like green foliage and... Leaves are very pretty regularly until they are crushed dry, arid conditions ( after the year...