Ferns
Ferns are a diverse group of non-flowering plants, celebrated for their lush, feathery foliage. Found in a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands, ferns thrive in moist, shaded environments but include species adapted to sun and dry conditions. Their leaves, or fronds, vary from finely divided and delicate to bold and leathery, with shapes ranging from simple to highly intricate patterns.
How to Choose
Evergreen or deciduous: Evergreen ferns hold structure through winter, while deciduous types die back and return with fresh spring fronds.
Frond texture: Fine, lacy fronds soften a planting; bold, leathery fronds give shade beds weight and contrast.
Moisture needs: Some ferns need consistently damp ground, while others tolerate dry summer shade under trees.
Height and spread: Sizes range from low edging ferns to shuttlecocks well over three feet, so plan for the mature clump.
All ferns in the catalog
22 varieties, A–Z · page 1 of 1
Adiantum pedatum
Northern Maidenhair Fern
Blooms non-flowering fern
Partial shade to full shade
Adiantum venustum
Himalayan Maidenhair Fern
Blooms does not produce significant flowers (fern)
Part shade to full shade
Asplenium scolopendrium
Hart's Tongue Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Partial shade to full shade
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum 'Regal Red'
Japanese Painted Fern
Blooms non-flowering (grown for foliage)
Partial to full shade
Blechnum chilense
Chinese Hard Fern
Blooms non-flowering fern
Partial shade to full shade
Blechnum penna-marina
Alpine Water Fern
Blooms not applicable; ferns do not produce flowers
Partial shade to full shade
Blechnum spicant
Deer Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Part shade to full shade
Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica
Fern-leaved Clematis
Blooms creamy-white
Full sun to partial shade
Cryptomium fortunei
Fortune's Holly Fern
Blooms none (fern species)
Partial to full shade
Cyrtomium falcatum 'Rochfordianum'
Rochford's Holly Fern
Blooms non-flowering fern
Partial shade to full shade
Dryopteris affinis 'Revolvens'
Gold-scaled Male Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Partial shade to full shade
Dryopteris championii
Champion's Wood Fern
Blooms non-flowering fern
Partial shade to full shade
Dryopteris dilatata 'Recurvata'
Weeping Broad Buckler Fern
Blooms not applicable; this is a fern species
Partial to full shade
Dryopteris erythrosora
Autumn Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Part shade to full shade
Dryopteris filix-mas
Male Fern
Blooms none
Partial shade to full shade
Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust'
Buckler Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Partial shade to full shade
Polystichum munitum
Western Sword Fern
Blooms none (non-flowering)
Partial shade to full shade
Polystichum polyblepharum
Japanese Tassel Fern
Blooms none
Partial to full shade
Polystichum setiferum
Soft Shield Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Part shade to full shade
Polystichum setiferum 'Pulcherrimum Bevis'
Pulcherrimum Bevis Soft Shield Fern
Blooms none (ferns do not produce flowers)
Partial to full shade
Polystichum x dycei
Dyce's Holly Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Partial shade to full shade
Woodwardia unigemmata
Jeweled Chain Fern
Blooms non-flowering
Partial shade to full shade
