Ferns are among the oldest plants. These plants were well established, growing, reproducing, and decomposing throughout the ages.
They gain the awe and admiration of the nature lover.
Relocated in the house or garden, ferns adapt themselves to new surroundings, adding a delicate beauty to either situation.
Foliage of varying shades of green, soft and plum-like or course and rugged, makes fern delightful additions to any collection of plants.
Ferns are plants that have been evolving over a long period–a plant of beauty and a plant with an unusual way of life.
Thoughts now turn to how ferns can beautify both house and garden. Whether a home has limited or extensive garden area, each planting will challenge the gardener’s talent and ingenuity. If his knowledge already includes gardening, planning, and arrangements, he has an excellent start.
Besides valuing ferns for their beauty, consider their advantage. Avoid haphazard start. Only by reading, studying, and observing, can one get a sound foundation. Consider the varieties of fern plants below:
 Brilliance Fern Bright Red New Fronds The Brilliance Fern, ‘Dryopteris ‘Brilliance’, is a new colorful and more brilliant form of the Autumn Fern. The young fronds of the cultivars are showy and red. The fronds hold their glossy green sheen at maturity. The growth habit is identical to the Autumn, but as a whole, it is dramatically more showy. Its new growth is a brighter red, and its coloring last longer. This fern is a great addition to the fern garden. The Brilliance Fern is an evergreen fern and is slow-spreading. It’s easy to grow and is surprisingly drought tolerant once established in a garden. Requiring little care, it will thrive in many locations that discourage fussier plants. With ferns ornamental foliage, and their near-infinite diversity, every garden can make good use of them! *Fronds Emerge Red and Mature to Green *Drought tolerant *Evergreen and Slow-spreading |
 Fern – Christmas Evergreen Fronds at Christmas The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2′ tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen fronds. It is green at Christmas time as the common name suggests. The stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and have a moderately dense crown. The evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape. This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. These plants serve as hosts for butterfly larvae. Christmas ferns enjoy shade and it will not survive in the sun! *Evergreen Foliage *Grows in Clumps and Will Not Spread *Good Shade Plant in Moist Soil |
 Japanese Painted Fern Beautiful Fern with Silver Highlights The Japanese Painted Fern, is a low maintenance, deciduous fern with soft grayish-green and silvery dark maroon foliage. It has a weeping habit and exquisite foliage that appears “painted” with silver. It is easy to see why it was nominated Perennial of the Year for 2004. The Japanese Painted Fern has a plant spread of 24” and a height of 24”. It’s a great addition to any shaded garden. Japanese Painted Fern prefers full shade, however, small amounts of afternoon sun give the most vibrant color to its foliage. A well-drained area is best, but please don’t allow it to dry out. The Japanese Painted Fern, is perfect as a border plant, planted near streams or ponds or as an accent plant. Best of all, it can help with erosion control, while presenting minimal wind resistance. Its open, spreading texture and graceful appearance makes a wonderful companion to flowering perennials. It will contrast well with Hosta ‘Patriot’ or Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’. *Maroon Foliage had Silver Highlights *Full Shade *Moist Soil |
 Fern – Lady 3′ of Green Lace The Lady Fern, ‘Athyrium filixfemina’, is a lovely, deciduous fern that is bright yellow-green with wide, deep cut or lacy leaves that are tapered at the end. It is a real favorite that reaches a height of 2-3′! The plants spread slowly to form dense clumps, and under the right conditions, Lady Ferns will continue to send up new fronds into the summer. ‘Lady’ ferns will grow in a group in the shape of a circle, and as they grow farther and farther outwards, the centers die away, leaving a ring of ‘Lady’ ferns! ‘Lady’ fern is one of the easiest ferns to grow. It prefers to be grown in part to full shade in average to rich, moist but well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acid. Ferns can be divided and transplanted in spring and early summer, planting the crown at the surface. They thrive even when other plants fail! Whether used in borders or as a background, ferns can add texture and color to any garden with their gracefulness and beautiful varying shades of green! *3′ Bright Yellow Green Lacy Leaves *Forms Dense Clumps *Full to Part Shade |
 Fern – Lady in Red Red Stripes and Green Lace Lady in Red Fern, Athyrium felix-forma ‘Lady in Red’, is strong-growing and dependable. Tough and easy to grow, this sultry beauty is the right choice for perennial borders and woodlands alike! A breathtaking flush of new fronds appears in the spring, with new leaves appearing throughout the season for a continuously fresh look. The lacy, light green foliage is held upright on dark, brilliant red-violet stripes (fern stems). Each plant of this slowly spreading fern should spread to 3′ in 5 years. ‘Lady in Red’ is a deciduous, easy-to-grow fern that makes a great blending plant for hosta and other bold-leaf plants in the woodland garden. ‘Lady in Red’ prefers to be grown in part to full shade in average to rich, moist but well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acid; provides seasonal cover for birds and other wildlife. ‘Lady in Red’ makes a good ground cover in shaded areas. The colorful fronds can be used in fresh arrangements. Ferns can be divided and transplanted in spring and early summer, planting the crown at the surface. They thrive even when other plants fail! Whether used in borders or as a background, ferns can add texture and color to any garden with their gracefulness and beautiful varying shades of green! *Red Stems and Green Lacy Leaves *Spreads Slowly *Part to Full Shade |
 Fern – Male Symmetry in the Shade Fern – Male, Dryopteris Filix Mas, is a clump forming fern found throughout North America and the Pacific Northwest. It has an upright habit and reaches 2.5 feet in height and width with a single crown on each rootstock. The crown of this fern produces multiple plants, so divide the male fern regularly to increase your plants and to keep the symmetry, or allow it to become a large clump of many plants. Either way, the fern provides a grand statement in the woodland garden. It prefers shade to bright shade and moist, fertile, acidic soil. Male Fern is one of the most common ferns of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. It favors damp shaded areas and is common in the understory of woodlands, but is also found in shady places on hedge-banks and rocks. *Clump Forming *Symmetrical Form *Part to Full Shade |
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