Five Fabulous Ferns For Your Shade Garden

Ferns are a wonderful addition to the landscape. Their color, contrast and foliage enhance any landscape, particularly those in shade and part shade. Plant on mass for great effect. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the most common types of ferns are the Western Sword and the Deer Fern but many interesting and unique varieties are also available. Take these five for example:

Lady Fern
Athyrium otophorum
Glossy silver-green fronds on dark red stems add elegant texture to shady garden areas. New foliage is a rich gold-green colour. Prefers full to part shade in well drained, rich soil. Water regularly, avoid letting it get too dry. Grows to 18 inches in height with a 2ft spread. Hardy to zone 6

Tassel Fern
Polystichum polyblepharum
This hardy evergreen fern has handsome, shiny green foliage. New growth develops a tassel-like appearance before unfurling. Deer resistant. Excellent for mass plantings, rock gardens, containers and naturalized landscapes. Thrives in woodland climates with rich, organic soil in shade or part shade.
Grows to 24 inches in height and spread.  Hardy in zones 5-9.

Crested Broad Buckler Fern
Dryopteris austrica 'Crispa Whiteside'
A compact growing fern with triangular-shaped fronds with twisted edges. Very interesting selection originally from England. Deer resistant. Thrives in neutral to acidic, loose, richly organic soil. Excellent for naturalized landscapes, containers and mass plantings. Grows to 24 inches in height and spread. Best in shade to part shade. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Hart's Tongue Fern
Asplenium scolopendrium
This unique English fern is evergreen with bright green leathery, strap-like fronds. Foliage shape makes it a great foil or contrasting element against other ferns. Ideal for crevices, walls and under trees. Can also be used in containers. Tolerates most soils in shade to part shade. Grows to 18 inches in height and spread. Benefits from an application of mulch in severe climates.

Polystichum setiferum Divisi
A harder to find evergreen fern with 4-10 bright green, divided fronds on mature plants. Light yellow spores on the underside of the fronds. A very elegant, bulbil forming fern with a clump forming - spread habit. Best in part shade







Art's Nursery carries a huge selection and variety of ferns throughout the year. Call  ahead to confirm availability of anything specific or come visit, browse and shop. We look forward to seeing you!

More Great Fern Links:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fern
American Fern Society:  http://amerfernsoc.org/
Victoria Fern Society: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fernsvic/