Cultural Information
Choosing the right fern for your site
As exotic as some ferns may appear, they are very easy to grow. Woodland or shade loving ferns appreciate an organic, evenly moist, well drained soil. This can be achieved by adding compost or other organic matter to your existing soil. (If you use manure, be sure it is well rotted or aged.) Most ferns do well in part shade or dappled sunlight, but there are many which will do well with quite a bit of sun, provided they get enough water. Ferns will also benefit from a moderate layer of mulch (compost is best) and aside from this, do not need additional fertilizer. Ferns require minimal maintenance throughout the year. Unless you want to share a fern with a friend these wonderful plants rarely need to be divided. Deciduous ferns can be trimmed as the fronds yellow in late fall and early winter. Evergreen ferns do best if the older fronds are trimmed off in late winter or early spring, just before the new fronds emerge. As with other perennials, the best time to plant is during the spring and fall when the rain is plentiful. Ferns offer a wide range of texture, color and shapes for the garden and can be used in a variety of settings - some that may even surprise you.
Here's a list of the categories on this page. Click on them to go directly to that section.
Caring for your tree fern
These handsome ancient plants are a poplar attraction in warm gardens, but unfortunately not reliably hardy in the greater Seattle area. Dicksonia antarctica is the most cold tolerant of the lot, but all tree ferns need special care and winter protection. Site them in the warmest section of the garden; a shady nook on the south side of the house (away from cold north winds) is ideal. As the roots extend down the trunk, the plants need extra water to transport a steady supply to the foliage. The trunk also needs to be misted or watered periodically. Critical care is especially essential for survival during the winter months. When the plants are young and containerized, the entire plant can be brought inside to the warmth of a greenhouse or suitably comfortable site in filtered light. Once the plant gains height and remains in the ground it will need protection from the cold. A hefty mulch at the base and a simple wrap of burlap or horticultural gauze around the trunk can be sufficient in mild weather. However, in more severe cold the trunk needs greater insulation. Experts use various techniques. One of the easiest is to wrap the trunk in bubble wrap and then cover this with an addition blanket of burlap or similar material. (Bubble wrap alone should not be used as it magnifies sunlight which will burn the plant.) Some gardeners also wrap the fronds which if left exposed will burn and brown in a severe frost. They should be held up vertically, not pulled down, and tied with a loose wrapping. Be advised that the fronds will likely be damaged in the process. Note that all of these precautions should be in place before an arctic blast arrives. Good luck!!
Evergreen Ferns
Adiantum venustum - Himalayan Maidenhair
Arachniodes simplicior var. variegata -
East Indian Holly Fern
Asplenium scolopendrium - Hart's Tongue Fern
Asplenium trichomanes - Maidenhair Spleenwort
Blechnum chilense - no common name
Blechnum penna-marina - Alpine Water Fern
Blechnum spicant - Deer Fern
Cyrtomium spp. - Holly Fern
Dryopteris championii - Champion's Wood Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora - Autumn Fern
Dryopteris formosana - Formosan Wood Fern
Dryopteris lepidopoda - Sunset Fern
Dryopteris sieboldii - Siebolds Wood Fern
(photo shown)
Dryopteris wallichiana - Wallich's Wood Fern
Polystichum braunii - Braun's Holly Fern
Polystichum neolobatum - Long-eared Holly Fern
Polystichum polyblepharum - Tassel Fern
Polystichum setiferum - Soft Shield Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Sun Tolerant Ferns
Asplenium trichomanes - Maidenhair Spleenwort
Athyrium filix-femina - Lady Fern
Blechnum chilense
Blechnum penna-marina - Alpine Water Fern
Ceterach officinarum - Rusty-back Fern
Dryopteris affinis - Scaly Male Fern
Dryopteris x
complexa
Dryopteris erythrosora - Autumn Fern
Dryopteris filix-mas - Male fern
Osmunda regalis - Royal fern
(photo shown)
Polypodium glycyrrhiza - Licorice fern
Polystichum munitum - Sword fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Ferns for Wet Soils
Dryopteris celsa - Log Fern
Dryopteris carthusiana - Toothed Wood Fern
Dryopteris goldiana - Goldie's Wood Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris - Ostrich Fern
(photo shown)
Onoclea sensibilis - Sensitive Fern
Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern
Osmunda regalis - Royal Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Ferns for Deep Shade
Adiantum aleuticum - Western Maidenhair Fern
Asplenium scolopendrium - Hart's Tongue Fern
(photo shown)
Athyrium filix-femina - Lady Fern
Blechnum spicant - Deer Fern
Cyrtomium (all species) - Holly Ferns
Dryopteris dilatata - Broad Wood Fern
Dryopteris filix-mas - Male Fern
Gymnocarpium dryopteris - Oak Fern
Polypodium glycyrrhiza - Licorice Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas Fern
Polystichum braunii - Braun's Holly Fern
Polystichum munitum - Sword Fern
Polystichum setiferum - Soft Shield Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Drought-tolerant Ferns
Athyrium filix-femina - Lady Fern
Blechnum penna-marina -
Alpine Water Fern (photo shown)
Dryopteris crassirhizoma - Thick Stemmed Wood Fern
Dryopteris filix-mas - Male Fern
Polypodium glycyrrhiza - Licorice Fern
Polystichum braunii - Braun's Holly Fern
Polystichum munitum - Sword Fern
Polystichum neolobatum - Long-eared Holly Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Groundcover Ferns
Adiantum venustum - Himalayan Maidenhair
(photo shown)
Blechnum penna-marina - Alpine Water Fern
Blechnum spicant - Deer Fern
Doodia australis - Rasp Fern
Gymnocarpium disjuncta - Oak Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris - Ostrich Fern
Onoclea sensibilis - Sensitive Fern
Polystichum munitum - Sword Fern
Thelypteris decursive-pinnata - Japanese Beech Fern
Woodwardia areolata - Netted Chain Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Ferns for Containers
Adiantum aleuticum - Western Maidenhair Fern
Arachniodes simplicior var. variegata - East Indian Holly Fern
Asplenium scolopendrium - Hart's Tongue Fern
Asplenium trichomanes - Maidenhair Spleenwort
Athyrium otophorum
Cyrtomium spp. - Holly Fern
Dryopteris affinis - Scaly Male Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora - Autumn Fern
Dryopteris lepidopoda - Sunset Fern
Osmunda regalis - Royal Fern
Polystichum setiferum and cutivars - Soft Shield Fern
(photo shown, Polystichum setiferum 'Plumoso Multilobum')
Polystichum tsus-simense - Korean Rock Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Very Cold-Hardy Ferns
Adiantum aleuticum - Western Maidenhair Fern
Asplenium trichomanes - Maidenhair Spleenwort
Athyrium filix-femina - Lady Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' - Japanese Painted Fern
Osmunda spp.
(Photo shown, Osmunda regalis in the winter)
Polypodium vulgare - Common Polypody
Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas Fern
Polystichum braunii - Braun's Holly Fern
(Return to Top of Page)
Native Ferns
Adiantum aleuticum - Western Maidenhair
Adiantum aleuticum 'Subpumilum' - Dwarf Western Maidenhair
Asplenium trichomanes - Maidenhair Spleenwort
Athyrium filix-femina - Lady Fern
Blechnum spicant - Deer Fern
Cryptogramma acrostichoides - Parsley Fern
Dryopteris arguta - Coastal Shield Fern
Dryopteris expansa - Northern Wood Fern
Gymnocarpium disjunctum - Oak Fern
Polypodium amorphum - Mountain Polypody
Polypodium glycyrrhiza - Licorice Fern
Polystichum andersonii - Anderson's Sword Fern
Polystichum munitum - Western Sword Fern (photo shown)
(Return to Top of Page)
