Ferns

Bold and beautiful, 1 to 2 feet tall. Young papery fronds display coppery-red color, maturing to deep green and deeply cut. Spreads by underground stems.

Average, slightly acidic, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Consistently moist, humusy soils that are rich in organic matter. Shelter from strong winds to protect the fronds. Avoid using lime, which may stain the plant. 

Rabbit tolerant.

May also be known as the red or pink shield fern. 

Tennessee woodland native. Prefers organically rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in part to full shade. 

Fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen fronds. Stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas. Although rhizomatous, this fern will not spread or naturalize, however clumps will increase in size over time. 

Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. 

Tall, stately beauties 4 feet or more in height, native to swamps and moist mountain slopes of eastern North America. 

In the garden they need plenty of water, and are excellent specimen plants or accents at the base of a tree in deep shade or filtered sunlight. They need moist soil rich in organic matter. Work plenty of compost into sandy or clay soils before planting. Short creeping rhizomes can be divided into two or more plants. 

Semi-evergreen, deer-resistant  Dramatically upright growth habit, clumping 2 ft. wide, 4 ft. or more tall. Large, coarse, dark green fronds are semi-evergreen in our Zone 7. Full to partial shade, in wet or constantly moist soil. 

Feed frequently during growing season with general purpose fertilizer. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring. 

Easily maintained groundcover, tidy clump that will not spread. Evergreen.

Found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Tolerant of dry shade; prefers average to moist, rich, well-drained soils in shade or part sun. Plant in masses, as an accent or mixed with bulbs and native perennials. Protect from wind to keep foliage looking nice. 

 Thought to be a result of a cross between a typical Athyrium nipponicum pictum, Japanese Painted Fern, and its cousin the lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina). Deciduous. Deer-resistant. Massive, arching 3 feet tall clump of silvery fronds with green highlights on dark purple stems. 

Leaves may be trimmed to the ground in late fall or early spring. Plants are easily divided in spring, every 3 to 4 years. Plant in rich, evenly moist soil in shade border, rock garden, or containers. 

12-18" tall; mature clump 24" across. The fronds are approximately 18" long; soft-grey metallic color with hints of red and blue. The center stem is red. Deciduous.

Prefers partial rather than deep shade; good drainage; consistently moist.

Native around the world, including the US. found in rich moist woods, thickets, fields, meadows and ravines throughout northern North America, Europe and Asia. Brilliant violet-red stems; long, lacy green fronds. Deciduous. 

Rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part to full shade. Tolerates drier soils than many other ferns. Shelter from wind to protect fronds from breaking. Divide clumps in spring every few years to reposition crowns at the soil level.

Erect, graceful arching fronds up to 5 feet long and 3 feet wide. Prefers shade or partial shade, and colonizes by spreading rhizomes in moist, rich soil. Fertile fronds turn black and persist through winter. 

Fiddleheads are edible, but should only be eaten in moderation as all ferns contain varying amounts of carcinogenic compounds. 

Year-round mulch in zones 2-7. Native south to Virginia and Missouri. 

Slow-growing, evergreen. Height and width of 2 feet. Short creeping rhizome. Unfurling fronds add a hint of architectural flavor.

Full to partial shade, and wet or constantly moist soil. Groundcover or in container garden.