Feature

Landscape with Ferns

Ferns are a natural part of any shade garden. Their leaves, or fronds, add textures both lacy and leathery to the landscape and provide a long season of interest. Ferns come in many forms, from low spreading mounds to striking upright clumps and vary in size from 6 inches to 4 feet. Most varieties are perennial and perform best in well drained soil that is rich in organic matter, making them the perfect choice for woodland gardens.

Use for Ferns

Ferns provide structure to any landscape when massed, and they make striking accent plants when used alone or in small groupings. A versatile plant, the fern fulfills many roles in the landscape:

Woodland Gardens-Most native fern varieties will naturalize happily in the rich moist soil of a woodland floor. The plants will wander aimlessly and can take over a large area, providing a natural-looking, low-maintenance ground cover.

Container Gardens-Because of their often delicate appearance, ferns bring a calming, tranquil air to indoor and outdoor spaces. Why not enhance the relaxed feeling of a sunroom or patio by decorating with pots of ferns? If a bold focal point is what you're after, choose a more architectural variety, such as staghorn fern, and mount it on an arbor or lattice trellis.

Accent Plants-The maidenhair fern, autumn fern, and Japanese painted fern are a few of the many varieties that work well as accent plants. These ferns look especially charming trailing alongside woodland paths.

Rock Gardens-Nothing is more intriguing than the sight of a delicate fern sprouting from the tiniest opening in a stone wall or rock outcropping. Several varieties of ferns are comfortable in this seemingly inhospitable environment. Generally, these plants require a better drained soil with a higher alkalinity.

Ferns represent the oldest group of plants on earth and are certainly much hardier than they appear. Provided with the proper growing conditions, they will be virtually carefree companion plants for years to come. Following are a few varieties you might want to add to your landscape