Ferns Plant List

With their array of sizes, colors and textures ferns are among the most versatile and attractive plants for the shade garden. They can be used to accent other plants and landscape features in your garden as well as to create a beautiful low-maintenance groundcover. In woodland or naturalized settings ferns look great lining the edge of a wooded path or planted along a shady patio. Typically ferns prefer rich moist soil and light to dense shade, but otherwise have few limitations. Some grow well in dry shade, while others tolerate sun when the soil is kept moist. Most of the ferns listed below are herbaceous and will die back in the winter, but those that are evergreen or semi-evergreen are noted.

X = Tolerant of Dry Soil in Shade            N = Native

Dwarf - 4 - 12 inches

Name	Height	Dry Shade	Description
Tatting Fern Athyrium filix-femina ‘Frizelliae’	10-12”		Light to dense shade. Frilly, round bright green leaflets whirl around thin stems at even intervals. Single crown. N

Small 12 - 24 inches

Name	Height	Dry Shade	Description
Black Wood Fern Dryopteris atrata	18-24”	X	Moderate to dense shade. Rows of stiff, golden-green, toothed leaflets create the feather-shaped fronds of this relatively uncommon fern. Prominent dark sori on the undersides of leaves and dark hairs along the stems. Single crown. Semi-evergreen
Bulblet Fern Cystopteris bulbifera	8-12”		Light to dense shade. Delicate looking, bright green fronds, some with red stems. Spreads by bulblets.
Hart’s Tongue Fern Phyllitis scolopendrium	12-24”		Light to moderate shade. Unusual, strap-like leaves with cinnamon colored herringbone patterned sori on the undersides of each. Looks like a conservatory specimen, rather than a hardy fern. Single crown.
Hay Scented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula	18-24”	X	Light to dense shade. Erect lance-shaped yellow-green fronds. Very hardy. Spreader.
Japanese Painted Fern Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’	18-24”		Light to dense shade. Bluish-gray and burgundy foliage on deep maroon stems. Semi-spreader. Semi-evergreen
Japanese Tassel Fern Polystichum polyblepharum	12-24”		Light to dense shade. Lustrous, dark green, somewhat leathery compact fronds. Single crown. Evergreen
Korean Rock Fern Polystichum tsus-simense	12-18”		Light to dense shade. Forms an attractive mound of deep green glossy fronds. Needs a protected site for winter hardiness. Single crown. Evergreen
Lady Fern, Articulate Athyrium otophorum	18-24”		Light to dense shade. Wine red fiddles unfold to frosty gray-green foliage on burgundy stems. Very hardy. Single crown. Semi-evergreen
Lady Fern, Branford Beauty Athyrium filix-femina	12-18”		Light to dense shade. A cross between the Japanese painted fern and lady fern. Silvery green foliage with red highlights. Single crown.
Lady Fern, Burgundy Lace Athyrium filix-femina	12-18”		Light to dense shade. Elegant, lacy fronds with intense burgundy-red coloration. New leaves are purple with silver veins. Single crown.
Lady Fern, Encourage Athyrium filix-femina	12”		Light to dense shade. Uniquely crested and tassled, apple-green lady fern. Single crown.
Lady Fern, Ghost Athyrium filix-femina	12-18”		Light to dense shade. Unique ghostly silver-gray foliage with nice semi-upright habit. Single crown. Semi-evergreen
Lady Fern, Victoria Athyrium filix-femina	12-24”		Light to dense shade. Unique, 3” wide arching fronds with dramatic forked leaflets. Single crown.
Leatherleaf Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis	18-24”	X	Light to dense shade. Deep to medium green leathery fronds. Hardy and adaptable. Protect from drying winds. Single crown. Evergreen N
Maidenhair Fern Adiantum pedatum	12-18”		Light to dense shade. Finely textured light bluish-green foliage on thin black stems. Somewhat tolerant of very wet conditions. Spreader. N
Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis	12-24”		Full sun to dense shade. Interesting, deeply lobed, wide yellow-green foliage. Adaptable to swampy or very wet conditions. Spreader. N

Medium 24 - 36 inches

Name	Height	Dry Shade	Description
Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides	24-36”	X	Light to dense shade. Dark green leathery fronds with silver-gray fiddleheads in the spring. Slow spreading. Single crown. Evergreen N
Golden Scaled Male Fern Dryopteris affinis	24-36”		Light to dense shade. Tender light green fiddleheads develop into distinctly lance-shaped, leathery deep green fronds. Single crown. Semi-evergreen
Interrupted Fern Osmunda claytonia	24-36”		Full sun to dense shade. Striking, tall upright fronds with a gap or “interruption” in the center. Adaptable to swampy conditions. Semi-spreader. N
Japanese Sword Fern Dryopteris erythrosora	24-36”	X	Light to dense shade. Coppery-pink fiddleheads in spring open to pinkish golden-green fronds. Foliage matures to coppery-green, and then turning deep copper to russet in the fall. Single crown. Evergreen
Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina	24-36”		Light to moderate shade. Very adaptable, lush and relatively fine textured, medium green foliage. Tall vase-shaped habit. Single crown. N
Lady Fern, Lady in Red Athyrium	24-36”		Light to moderate shade. Spectacular burgundy-red stems contrast against bright green lacy textured foliage. Single crown. N
Robust Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas ‘Undulata Robusta’	24-36”		Light to dense shade. Wavy-edged, stately sturdy fronds that can reach up to 3’ long. Strong grower. Single crown. Semi-evergreen N

Large - 36 - 72 inches

Name	Height	Dry Shade	Description
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea	36-72”		Full sun to dense shade. Erect, cinnamon-brown fertile fronds resembling cinnamon sticks appear in spring. Robust medium green fronds. Semi-spreader. N
Ostrich Fern Matteuccia s. var. pennsylvanica	48-60”		Light to dense shade. Tall, tough and hardy fern with large fronds resembling giant lacy ostrich feathers. Adaptable to very wet conditions. Spreader. N
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis			Full sun to dense shade. Large graceful fern with locust-like leaves emerge deep red and later become bright green. Semi-spreader. N

How Ferns Grow

Ferns produce spores instead of seeds and do not flower.  In most cases, ferns bear their spores in tiny dot-like structures called sori, attached to the bottom of the leaves.  In other cases, the spores are carried on separate stalks like Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea).  Some ferns grow in clumps and form round mounds, or a single crown, with leaves emerging from the center or outside edge.  Others spread by underground stems called rhizomes and form thick colonies.

Maintenance

Ferns seldom need any maintenance.  Occasionally they look better if older leaves are trimmed off as they become tattered, but many types do not need their leaves removed as they die back each fall.  Fall and winter care may only consist of a good covering of leaf mulch to protect the shallow-rooted plants from frost heaving.  In late March, carefully lift and remove dried leaves from the plant with your hands.  Never rake over your ferns, which can cause damage or death to the plant. 

Fertilizing

Most ferns do not require supplemental feeding. You may improve the soil quality near your plants with shredded leaves or compost.  If feeding is needed, apply an organic slow release fertilizer in early spring or a little bone meal in the fall. Ferns are somewhat sensitive to inorganic chemical fertilizers and herbicides, so use care to avoid your ferns if using these products in your garden.