Mature plants carry 75 to 100 sword-shaped fronds with leaflets that are dagger-shaped with toothed edges. Lacy maidenhair ferns and silvery painted ferns are summer delicacies. Yes, ferns do abound in the deepest, darkest woodlands. Chilean hard ferns shield the base of this tree, growing several feet in the air. Which makes it perfect for the South. No spam! Water the new divisions regularly until they are established. 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). New fronds have golden-copper hairs which is where it gets the name “Tassel Fern”. The fronds turn a soft yellow color in the fall and grow in areas that other ferns find difficult. Next on the list of winter hardy fern varieties is the Hayscented Fern. 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. 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. Many different perennials love growing in the shade, and they are great complementary plants for ferns. Royal fern’s sterile fronds grow in flower-like spreads, which can reach 12 to 16 inches (30-40 cm) broad. It has a clump-forming nature and is pest and disease-free. 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. These hardy and colorful ferns maintain their color throughout the season and naturalize by spores under the right conditions. So I decided to do some research, and came up with a whole bunch of options. This fern prefers to grow in calcareous soils, feels great in the sun and in partial shade. It makes a good ground cover which is evergreen in frost-free areas and semi-evergreen everywhere else. Most ferns are slow growing and may take several years to reach their mature size. 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. This clump-forming plant is pest and disease free and is easy to maintain. Japanese painted ferns are known for the beautiful colors of their leaves. 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? Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 7 Height: 48″ to 72″. Outdoor Ferns. 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. Which add interest and color to the shade garden. Light: Sun to Full Shade Zones: 6 to 9 Height: 24″ to 36″. This plant has a mature height of 1 to 3 feet and spreads up to 2 feet. It grows in dense, arching clumps of glossy green foliage, and it is ideal for groundcover and slope/erosion control. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 7 to 9 Height: 10″ to 15″. It is a winter-hardy plant that grows best in zones 3 through 11. It grows 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91 cm.) Dryopteris erythrosora var. This deciduous fern is more colorful than traditional ferns with its triangular silvery leaves. Because of this, it’s an excellent ground cover choice for Southeastern shade gardens. Lilyturf (Liriope muscari): This clump-forming evergreen groundcover is ideal for sloped sites or for … Check the USDA hardiness zone for your ferns and compare them to your location before bringing your new plant home. Which Types of Plants Grow Well with Ferns? The wood fern is a versatile plant that is tough with a bold texture. They grow well in areas that other ferns do not. The name “ebony” refers to the stalk that turns black with age. This majestic and robust evergreen fern has narrow, lance-shaped fronds that form an arching mound of dark green foliage. The young unfolding fronds are a golden green in the Spring contrasting well with the hairy black midrib and stems. This clumping plant loves shade but is also one of the few sun loving ferns. We deliver Nationwide. © 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. Ferns are a great plant for your garden, especially for ground cover in shady areas. Please let me know in a comment/reply what evergreen ferns you grow in your garden. The Southern Maidenhair Fern is a native plant that grows in moist, well-drained soil and is deer-resistant. The holly fern grows best in part to full shade and moist soil. They are low maintenance, as well as pest and disease-free. The lady fern grows 1 to 3 feet tall and over 2 feet wide, and is more tolerant of dry soils than other plants. Ebony Spleenwort is a small native fern that has some very un-fern-like characteristics. High humidity and protection from wind are also ideal growing conditions for this plant. It likes full to partial shade. The Northern Maidenhair fern is a native plant that likes moist but not wet soil and will not survive getting dried out. Light: Full Shade to Sun Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 36″ to 72″. Carolyn Hay-scented ferns have lacy green fronds and give off a scent of freshly cut hay if you brush up against them. While it prefers the shade, this plant will grow in the sun given lots of water. 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. This majestic and robust evergreen fern has narrow, lance-shaped fronds that form an arching mound of dark green foliage. So here’s the list of winter hardy fern varieties I found. This fern lives near the rivers and bogs with acidic soil, particularly in Asia, Europe, and Africa. This winter hardy fern variety is deer resistant, and loves heat and humidity. Which makes it perfect for a shade rock garden. It is a long-lasting plant with a mature size of 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide. Robust … With its frilly evergreen fronds, the Autumn Fern provides color in your garden all year round. This fern is poisonous if ingested so avoid it if you have pets that like to chew on plant leaves. It’s another native fern that gets its name because the fronds smell like freshly mowed hay if they are crushed. Ebony Spleenwort is a small native fern that has some very un-fern-like characteristics. This specimen gets rather large in the garden, so optimal space is required. But it may not be the best option to grow with other plants in a garden bed. This plant does not tolerate heat or humidity and prefers part sun to full shade. I love the lush look they give to the garden beds. Japanese painted ferns are outdoor plants for shade and low light that benefit from moist, well-drained soil. It can create quite a large colony if the conditions are right. Lady Fern is an easy-to-grow native plant with finely-cut, lacy fronds that can grow up to 5 feet tall. It is a vigorous and elegant plant that is a fast grower and easily fills shady areas of the yard. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 24″ to 60″. The Western Sword Fern is weather-resistant and grows in part to full shade, but tolerates full sun if watered regularly. It is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and deer resistant. Light: Part Shade to Sun Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 6″ to 20″. Required fields are marked *. Consider including moisture-loving plants with your ferns, such as ornamental dwarf grass like Mondo, Joe Pye weed, and monarda, to create a colorful and contrasting garden. The ferns grow more upright than the larger Bird’s Nest Fern. And it is deer and rabbit-resistant. Useful Tips To Make Your Everyday Life Just A Bit Better. Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei)- The Holly Fern grows anywhere from 12” to 24” with upright and stuff branching. Buy evergreen ferns: Delivery by Crocus We use cookies to provide you with a better service and experience. While most ferns average between one and three feet tall and wide, some, such as resurrection fern, grow only a few inches tall. The Christmas fern grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide and is both rabbit and deer resistant. All of its outstanding qualities earned it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. 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 name “ebony” refers to the stalk that turns black with age. The Korean Rock Fern is a small, well-behaved, evergreen fern that makes a great addition to the front of your shade garden border. They are fairly flexible in terms of soil and sun. It is the first fern to produce fiddleheads in early spring, and clumps form into a spreading V-shape. 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! … Your email address will not be published. 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. Blechnum chilense, Zones 7–9) is a rock-star evergreen fern that makes a huge impact in the garden. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 9 (depending on the variety) Height: 10″ to 15″. The Royal Fern is large, with twice cut leaves that sometimes produce bead-like spores at the tips. They are deer resistant as well. Crown forming ferns have fronds in a vase-like cluster or circle that grows upright from the rhizomes. You often see British native Asplenium scolopendrium growing wild – if … It puts up individual fronds along the length of underground rhizomes. The Japanese shield fern grows well full to part shade and is hardy in zones 5 through 9. This fern does better than most in dry, arid conditions (after the first year) and is deer resistant. We’ll answer common questions about growing these groundcover plants and help you choose the right ones for your garden. Growing 1-2' tall this native evergreen compliments shaded naturalized or formal landscapes. Chilean hard fern. Part-shade with moist yet well-drained limey soil seems to suit them best. Needs moist conditions though not … November 2020 - Covid-19 update: We remain open to public throughout the national lockdown in November. The fertile fronds start as silvery, furry fiddleheads that turn into stiff chocolate brown spikes. Astilbes, hostas, caladiums, and dicentras love shady areas and are good companion plants. Now, when the garden is still leafless, it’s all about evergreen ferns, and plenty of them thrive here in the Northwest. These colorful ferns thrive on neglect and are an excellent choice for a low maintenance garden. It’s almost like two plants in one , Light: Full Shade to Sun Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 20″ to 40″. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 5 to 9 Height: 12″ to 24″. They can handle a little light but not too much. The Japanese Tassel Fern has dark green fronds that are semi-evergreen and grow from a central rosette. .Sterile fronds are green and form a vase-shaped circle around the fertile ones. This fern forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump that makes an excellent addition to the shade garden. It’s a fairly short plant that doesn’t have the typical fern-shaped fronds, but the delicate leaves are very pretty. With this fern, the sterile and fertile fronts look like totally different plants. Male Robust Fern is hardy down to zone 2. Light: Sun to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 24″ to 36″. While they do withstand some drought, they prefer constant moisture. Bracken Fern They thrive in zones 4 through 8 and tolerate partial sunny locations. It has coppery pink fronds that emerge in the spring. The Broad Beech Fern is a native plant that has an interesting growth pattern. With its evergreen leaves, it works well in groups or as a specimen plant. If you wish to share our content, please click here to see our conditions. 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. The Holly Fern has stiff, glossy, dark green fronds that look like holly (which explains the name). 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. Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Lady ferns are native ferns with finely textured, light green foliage. Its shiny dark green fronds are a good contrast for other shade perennials with chartreuse or silver leaves. Like most ferns, Japanese painted ferns like moist (not wet) soil. It likes water so much, it can actually tolerate growing in standing shallow water. Beautiful gardens don’t always have to grow in full sun. Height: 6″ to 20″. Ground creeping plants like some other ferns spread quickly through the area by growing from stolons or trailing rhizomes. It has striking black leaf stalks that are a pleasant contrast against the foliage. Why We Love It: Soft foliage and tough-as-nails personality While they do not have flowers, many have interesting fertile fronds (the fern version of seed pods). This deciduous fern grows in a large rosette of lacy, arching green fronds. Ferns should always be mulched to keep the roots cool and moist, but always make sure to keep the crown uncovered. Interrupted ferns are shade-lovers that grow best in consistently wet soil. Because of its size, it is a favorite of container gardeners and also favored as a house plant. It produces robust, broadly divided, bright green fronds and grows rusty/brown flower spikes in the early spring. They are low maintenance and thrive in part to full shade. 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. 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. It is the only one of the winter hardy fern varieties that prefers drier conditions, rocky soils and can grow in the sun. 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: It grows in an arching habit with some of the leaves variegated and a grayish-green tone and purple midribs. It is a tufted evergreen or semi-evergreen fern that has appeal all year. Among the evergreen holly ferns, the two smallest are Polystichum lonchitus (zone 3) and P. scopulinum (zone 5). 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″. Plan wisely before planting. Hi, and welcome! This is a very distinct looking fern, and while it can be grown for some time in a pot … Christmas fern is also deer, rabbit and drought resistant (once established). It’s beautiful planted en masse as a ground cover . Many native plants, such as ferns, are happy growing in shady areas of the yard. The lance-shaped medium green fronds grow in a shuttlecock form. Its foliage is dark green and the fronds look similar to holly branches. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 18″ to 24″. Nearly ferns are perennial (a single plant needs several years and two distinct stages to complete its life cycle). This clump-forming plant is deer and rabbit resistant and grows up to 2 feet tall and wide. The following is a list of some of the major fern It’s a deciduous perennial which will grow best in part to full shade and should not be allowed to dry out. Most ferns are slow growing and can take several years to reach their mature size. However, if the plant doesn’t get watered enough, it will go dormant in the summer. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 4 to 9 Height: 24″ to 36″. Emerging in late winter to early spring, the new fronds display a charming … Ferns look The fiddleheads or immature fronds just starting to unfold are an attractive feature of most species. Ferns are extremely forgiving and have an incredibly strong survival instinct. These ferns are hardy in zones 3 through 8. Ferns For Zone 6. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: Height: 24″ to 36″. Cinnamon ferns are clump-forming and grow 2 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide with ease. It’s very similar to the Cinnamon Fern (above) but more flexible in terms of growing conditions. A wide selection of Evergreen Ferns for sale in UK including unbeatable special offers. This fern does well both in the ground and in containers and prefers full to … 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. Ferns prefer moist soil, and so do other types of plants. Chilean hard fern (Parablechnum cordatum syn. This fern can grow in all kinds of soil types and can even survive dry conditions once it is established. Light:Part to Full Shade Zones: 7 to 10 Height: 6″ to 20″. These evergreen ferns have stiff, leathery fronds that are narrow and lance-shaped with overlapping pinnae. 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. They have true roots, stems, and complex leaves and reproduce by spores. I know a fern when I see one, and that’s about it. Mature plants carry 75 to 100 sword-shaped fronds with leaflets that are dagger-shaped with toothed edges. Ferns are the staple of many shade gardens. Take a walk through the moist soil of a shady woodland area, and it’s easy to spot gracefully textured fronds carpeting the ground. Leaves evergreen, clustered in small rosettes, mixed. Light: Full Shade to Part Sun Zones: 5 to 9 Height: 36″ to 72″. This evergreen fern is a clump-forming plant with a fountain of feathery rich, green fronds with holly-like pinnae. The sterile fronds are 2″ to 6″ long and are evergreen. This deciduous fern enjoys part sun to full shade. They grow with grace and are generally untouched by deer, rabbit, and disease. It has black stems that contrast with the light green foliage. Their hardiness varies, depending on the species, and they come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Some can handle a bit of sun (Cinnamon) and some dense shade (Leatherwood). The graceful habit of this fern makes it a great addition to the garden with a tropical appeal. Asplenium scolopendrium. Easy to grow and quite versatile, they add beauty to almost any spot in the garden. 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. It’s a large plant that can add a tropical feeling to any garden. The fronds that carry the spores are stiffly vertical and fade to … The ostrich fern is low maintenance and easily grows up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. They also tolerate some sun but grow best in partial to full shade. It is the only one of the winter hardy fern varieties that prefers drier conditions, rocky soils and can grow in the sun. How to Take Care of Ferns. This fern prefers light to medium shade and a moist to the moderately moist soil environment. This is the only drought-resistant fern that can be content with a Sunny location. Some ferns are evergreen, and can be found all year , while others are visible only in summer. But other than, it’s easy to grow. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 6 to 10 Height: 36″ to 48″. They occur on both wet and fairly well-drained sites and acid to neutral soil. Ferns and their allies lack true leaves, stems, and roots. This low maintenance fern is deer resistant and drought tolerant and is hardy in zones 3 through 9. These year-round green ferns grow well in both full and partial shade and are low maintenance. 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. It is hardy in zones 4 through 9 and grows best in part sun to full shade. But once established, this hardy fern variety is actually quite drought tolerant. It has glossy, leathery, dark green, evergreen foliage that forms large clumps with many long fronds in shady areas. This interesting fern likes light to full shade and very wet soil. The soft shield fern has a mature size of 3 to 4 feet and grows well in hardiness zones 6 through 8. 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. This fern grows slowly but is well worth the wait. Royal Fern is a native fern that has unique, delicate, bright green fronds that often have a silvery cast. 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. 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! with wide, semi-evergreen fronds. It thrives in heavy, wet soil, high temperatures and humidity. Protect it from wind to keep the large fronds looking good. A garden planting of ferns conjures up images of shaded retreats and cool walks by wooded streams. This fern can be a little aggressive so plant it where it can spread. Mix organic matter or compost in the hole before planting and cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. This plant’s shape and structure make it ideal for creating a dramatic focal point in the garden. 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. I didn’t realize that there were so many types of ferns. This deciduous fern has large, blue/green foliage with spikes of cinnamon-brown spore-producing fronds that emerge from the center of the plant. Plant ferns in fertile, well-drained soil in partial or full shade. There are Southern and Northern varieties, so pick the one that will do best in your area. While it grows up to 6 feet, the average height and spread is commonly 2 to 3 feet. Royal fern (Osmunda regalis) is one of the types of ferns people use as planting mediums for popular flowers, such as orchids. This fern is quite easy to grow and spreads slowly by rhizomes. 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. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. When it is happy, it can spread quite aggressively which makes it a good option for naturalizing in a woodland area. The diagram on this page shows how ferns reproduce. The Poly Fern does not have a blooming season although during spring it will sprout new fronds with light-colored fiddleheads. Depending on the variety, the fronds can be silver and burgundy (like ‘Pictum’) above. These plants have an average height and spread of 3 feet and thrive in hardiness zones 3 through 8. It is semi-evergreen in colder climates and evergreen in warmer regions. So watering is very important! This variety grows 18 inches tall and wide and thrives in hardiness zones 3 through 8. This charming deciduous fern has showy, pale-green fronds that are lance-shaped and divided. On my strolls over the years I have noticed that there are two ferns that remain evergreen in our woods during the winter. 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. The evergreen nature of the Poly Fern keeps the plant healthy throughout the colder months of autumn and winter. The Christmas Fern is a native leathery plant that has glossy, green fronds year-round. The hay-scented fern is hardy in zones 3 through 8 and grows 1 to 3 feet tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet. There are many fern varieties, but there are two basic types of growth forms. The fertile fronds are 12″ to 24″ long and are deciduous. Native ferns gather around swamps and streams, spreading with ease through rhizomes and spores. Male fern – The male fern is an evergreen fern that is shaped like a vase and will grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m.). The Ostrich Fern is another one of the native winter hardy fern varieties. 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. 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. Cut back the old fronds before the new ones come out to keep the plant looking fresh. I’m Wanda and I believe that anyone can create a relaxing garden retreat in their city backyard…no matter the size. This South American native does just as well in the northern hemisphere. This perennial has feathery green foliage with small fronds and a lacy appearance. The Marginal Wood Fern is a native plant that features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds. It isn’t an aggressive species. It is rabbit, deer, and clay soil tolerant, and thrives in zones 3 through 9. And red fiddleheads in the spring that provide more color and interest. It is hardy in zones 3 through 7 and naturalizes well. 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. The next one of our winter hardy fern varieties is the Southern Wood Fern which is a native plant with light green, bushy fronds. The maidenhair fern thrives in full to part shade. The fronds of these types of ferns grow in loose clusters along the rhizome. Like most ferns, this plant requires consistent moisture to stay healthy. 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). This fern variety is also rabbit-resistant and will grow in clay soil. It is tolerant of deep shade and very acidic soil. Which is how it got its name…it stays green all the way through the holidays. boasts delicate fern-like green foliage that takes on a maroon color in the winter. But not all ferns are limited to the shade. As well as making a good border plant or ground cover, it also grows well in containers. 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. This fern prefers to grow in the crevices of limestone rocks where water is available. It is resistant to both deer and rabbits. Ferns (division Pteridophyta) are an ancient group of nonflowering vascular plants. 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. This impressive plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide and is hardy in zones 3 through 8. Ferns come in an amazing array of texture, color, sizes and shapes. Ferns are easy to grow almost anywhere, but they do require specific conditions to thrive. But it can also make a beautiful ground cover if enough moisture is present. This soft-textured fern has drooping fronds with a lace-like appearance. 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. 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 in every conceivable place. It produces erect, fertile fronds with brown leaflets from the center. Ferns can be found nearly worldwide and more than 9,000 extant species are known to science. This woodland native has a coarse and bold texture with large fronds. Carry on browsing if you're happy with this, or find out how to manage cookies. Or a beautiful blue-silver color (like ‘Ghost’). Apparently, these ferns prefer dappled sunlight, but can also grow in full shade and even in full sun. Photo: Jason Jorgensen. This is a clumping form that does not spread and works well with other plants in the shade border. This is an evergreen fern. The Western Sword Fern is weather-resistant and grows in part to full shade, but tolerates full sun if watered regularly. These medium-sized ferns fill shady areas with their rich green fronds, as long as you grow them in rich and moist soil. Light: Part to Full Shad Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 18″ to 30″. The plant can spread quite rapidly,  but dies back in the winter or if it gets too much sun. Others, like royal and ostrich ferns, can tower to six feet. Blue Wonder Blue Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Blue Wonder’): This sweet little spruce is winter hardy … The harsh environments make the ferns stay small and stunted. This fern produces fronds that resemble tall, feather ostrich plumes with an elegant and arching show. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Ferns are a great way to fill shady areas of the yard, and unlike the hosta plant, deer will not bother them. I’m happy you found it helpful , Your email address will not be published. It tolerates dry soil and dense shade. The Male Fern is a tall perennial that makes an excellent specimen plant. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 5 to 8 Height: 24″ to 36″. Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 3 to 8 Height: 8″ to 24″. They are rabbit and deer tolerant and grow up to 3 feet tall and wide. Choose an area where they have protection from the afternoon sun to protect their fronds from drying out or scorching. These long-living groundcover plants are easy to grow and require little care to survive, making them an ideal choice for a shade garden. For the best colors, plant it where it can get some morning sun. 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. Moisture and sunlight are vital in deciding where to plant ferns in your garden. I hope I have convinced you to go outside and investigate where you can add some evergreen ferns for year round interest. Staghorn Fern. … They are among the most beautiful of ferns. Cinnamon ferns are rabbit-resistant and are one of the few plants that will survive under Black Walnut trees. Some ferns reproduce quickly, providing groundcover for large areas in short order (Ostrich). 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. This cold-hardy evergreen (it’s Siberian, after all!) It makes a great ground cover in your shade garden, Light: Part to Full Shade Zones: 6 to 10 Height: up to 30″. A most magnificent fern from the Himalayas and Japan, although named after the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich. Almost all thrive in acidic soil (which isn’t a problem in my area), and like moist soil. Next on our list of winter hardy fern varieties is the Western Sword Fern. The silvery glade fern can be found in woodland valleys, wooded areas, and even above streams in woodland ravines. 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. The fresh green foliage unfurls in the spring and loses its leaflets in the fall.