37 Beautiful Fern Varieties for Your Garden

Do you love the lush look of ferns in the garden? You can grow many beautiful ferns at home if you have favorable conditions. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces 37 unique fern varieties for your landscape.

A close-up of lush, vibrant green ferns glistening in the warm sunlight of a botanical garden. The delicate fronds exhibit intricate patterns and textures, creating a soothing and refreshing atmosphere.

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Ferns are interesting and unique plants that can easily grow in a shaded landscape. They are typically grown as foliage plants because they have showy leaves, known as fronds, that make a lovely addition to your landscape. Fern varieties range from very small to very large, with some tropical species growing as large as a small tree. 

These plants do not flower or make seeds. They reproduce by spores, which typically develop in brownish patches on the undersides of the fronds (though some species develop them on separate stalks). Many also spread via underground rhizomes, allowing them to create dense colonies.

Species grow in woodland habitats worldwide, including a rich diversity that grows throughout North America. They prefer plenty of shade and moisture. You’ll likely spot them in rich ravines, along streams and wetlands, near rocky outcroppings, and even in the crevices of shaded cliff faces. 

Look for species that grow within your Plant Hardiness Zone. Once you have identified your zone, select the varieties that will thrive in your region. When growing indoors, keep their native environmental conditions in mind.

Keep reading for details about 37 fabulous ferns that can make themselves at home in your shade garden environment

Autumn Wood Fern 

A close-up of Autumn Wood Fern's luxuriant, emerald leaves, each one a testament to the beauty of nature's intricate designs. The sunlight highlights the intricate veins and unique shape of each leaf, adding a touch of elegance to the scene.
The colored fronds of autumn wood fern make a lovely ground cover.
botanical-name botanical name Dryoptetris erythrosora
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 6 – 12

The autumn wood fern, or Japanese shield fern, is a low-maintenance plant native to Asia. These plants will spread by underground rhizomes to form attractive colonies.

It typically has a bit of bronze coloration in its fronds and makes a beautiful ground cover. This variety appreciates moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Grow it in your shade garden, even in full shade, for year-round, evergreen foliage. 

Boston Fern

A close-up of Boston Ferns' lush green leaves, showcasing their delicate and finely feathered fronds. The intricate pattern and rich green color of the foliage create a captivating and serene botanical display.
Provide this fern with rich, moist soil in a shaded spot for optimal growth.
botanical-name botanical name Nephrolepis exaltata
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10 – 13

The Boston fern is a tropical species native to Central and South America. It is an easy-to-grow fern variety commonly sold as a potted plant in hanging baskets. You can easily grow this plant as an annual plant in a hanging basket, container, or raised bed, or you can plant it in your shade garden, but it will not survive a winter frost.

It can also be grown outside in the summer and brought inside as a houseplant for the winter months. Boston fern loves a shaded location with rich, moist soil. It spreads by rhizomes, creating a dense cluster of beautiful warm-season greenery.

Braum’s Holly Fern 

A close-up of Braum’s Holly Ferns, with their striking leaves standing out against the brown soil. The leaves have a unique, spiky texture and a deep green color, contrasting beautifully with other green plants nearby.
Braum’s holly fern is native to temperate North America.
botanical-name botanical name Polystichum braunii
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Braum’s holly fern is widespread and native to the temperate regions of North America. This attractive fern variety has fuzzy-looking stems and showy leaves and forms beautiful broad rosettes.

It does well in a shaded location with rich, moist, well-drained soil but will tolerate periodically dry soils after becoming established. It stays evergreen throughout much of its range, providing attractive foliage during winter.

Broad Beach Fern 

A close-up of Broad Beach Ferns, their lush leaves catching rays of sunlight. The leaves form a dense, green canopy, with intermingling foliage from other plants. The dappled sunlight creates a serene, natural setting full of life and energy.
This deciduous plant goes dormant in the winter but offers lush foliage during the growing season.
botanical-name botanical name Phegopteris hexagonoptera
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 9

The broad beach fern is an attractive plant native to eastern North America. The lowest and largest set of pinnae along each frond typically points slightly downward, giving these plants a slight overall look of disarray.

It grows well in a shaded location with rich, moist, acidic soil with good drainage. This fern variety is deciduous and will die back for the winter. During the growing season, you can enjoy its lush foliage display.

Broad Wood Fern 

In a lush forest, Broad Wood Ferns thrive under the warm sunlight, their graceful fronds unfurling in shades of vibrant green. Each delicate leaf dances with the gentle breeze, painting a picturesque scene in the woodland.
The broad wood fern is easily grown and thrives in shaded areas, even full shade.
botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris dilatata
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 3 feet 
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

The broad wood fern is an easy-to-grow native to Europe and Asia. It thrives in a shaded area, including full shade. Make sure to plant it in a location with moist, well-drained soil, as it appreciates consistent soil moisture.

Broad wood is a semi-evergreen fern variety, staying green throughout the winter in the warmer regions of its range but deciduous in the cooler regions. It will spread and naturalize in your woodland garden to create an abundance of attractive greenery. 

Christmas Fern 

A close-up of Christmas Fern reveals its elegant fronds, a rich, dark green canvas adorned with intricate patterns. In the background, blurred garden leaves lie scattered, their earthy brown tones providing a stark contrast to the fern's lush beauty.
This evergreen plant spreads via rhizomes to create protective habitats for small creatures and ground-foraging birds.
botanical-name botanical name Polystichum acrostichoides
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 9

The Christmas fern looks similar to the Boston fern, but this variety is much more cold-hardy. It is native to rich, rocky woodlands of central and eastern North America. The home garden makes it easy to grow in a shady area with moist, well-drained soil.

This is an evergreen species that will keep its leaves throughout winter. It will spread by rhizomes and form dense, low-growing colonies that offer shelter for small animals and ground-foraging birds. 

Cinnamon Fern

A close-up of Cinnamon Fern showcases the mesmerizing beauty of its tightly packed, bronze-orange frond spikes. These distinctive fronds seamlessly intertwine with the verdant, leafy companions of the cinnamon fern, creating a striking tapestry of colors and textures.
These fronds are bronze-orange and resemble a striking cluster of millet-like flowers.
botanical-name botanical name Osmunda cinnamomea
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

Cinnamon fern is a unique-looking native found in central and eastern North America. This low-maintenance variety thrives in a shaded location with medium to wet soil. While ferns do not produce flowers, this type bears separate upright spore fronds.

These spore-bearing fronds are bronze-orange and resemble a cluster of very showy millet-like flowers. It would be a good choice if you’re looking for a plant with added color and zing for your landscape.

Deer Fern

A close-up captures the exquisite rosette-like fronds of the Deer Fern, resembling a natural work of art. Their elegantly arranged fronds create a harmonious pattern, showcasing nature's precision and grace in the heart of the forest.
The sturdy, evergreen fronds of deer ferns create appealing rosettes.
botanical-name botanical name Blechnum spicant
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 1.5 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

Deer fern is a smaller, hardy type native to western North America, temperate Europe, and Asia. It has leathery evergreen fronds that form attractive rosettes and make a good ground cover.

This variety produces two different types of fronds. Early-season growth produces sterile evergreen fronds, while mid-season growth provides fertile, short-lived ones. Grow it in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil for best results.

Dixie Wood Fern 

A close-up of Dixie Wood Fern highlights the resplendent beauty of its lush, green leaves. Each leaf is a testament to nature's artistry, displaying intricate patterns and a rich green hue that thrives in the forest's dappled light.
This fern is an appealing choice for a larger fern in your woodland garden.
botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris australis
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 4 – 5 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 9

The Dixie wood fern is a hybridized variety that occurs naturally in the southeastern United States. It prefers a shaded location with moist, well-drained, acidic soil and tolerates fairly wet soil conditions.

This fern variety is semi-evergreen, providing long-standing fronds but finally dying back completely in the coldest months. It makes a very attractive large plant for your woodland garden and will spread slowly to form loose colonies. 

Giant Wood Fern 

A close-up of a Giant Wood Fern reveals its lush fronds, their vibrant green color showcasing nature's intricate patterns. Each frond unfurls gracefully, bearing the beauty of the forest in its delicate, yet robust, design.
Native to eastern North America, the giant wood fern grows in tall, attractive, upright clumps.
botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris goldieana
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 3 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

The giant wood fern is a large variety native to eastern North America. It forms tall, attractive, upright clumps and makes a lovely addition to a shaded landscape. It spreads slowly by underground rhizomes and, over time, will form large colonies.

Give it rich, moist, well-drained soil, or plant it alongside a stream or pond where it can naturalize. It provides greenery during the growing season but will die back for the winter months. 

Hay Scented Fern 

A close-up of the Hay Scented Fern showcases its fresh green fronds in exquisite detail. Each fern emerges with a radiant, youthful hue, forming a lush and vibrant carpet on the forest floor.
The name hay-scented fern, is derived from the grassy fragrance it emits when its leaves are crushed or damaged.
botanical-name botanical name Dennstaedtia punctilobula
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Hay-scented fern is easy to grow and native to eastern North America. This fern variety is more sun-tolerant than many others and is a good plant to mix with some native wildflowers for a bit of vegetative diversity. It also tolerates dry woodlands and will grow where many other moisture-loving species will not.

Hay-scented ferns will spread rapidly and, if allowed to naturalize, will become an appealing colony. The name comes from the grassy fragrance emitted from the leaves when crushed or bruised. 

Intermediate Fern

A close-up of the Intermediate Fern. The undersides of the fronds reveal intricate patterns of black spots. This fern's unique features make it a fascinating addition to any botanical collection or garden.
The delicate fronds of intermediate fern are prone to damage from strong winds.

botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris intermedia
sun-requirements sun requirements Full to partial shade
height height 1.5 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Intermediate fern is native to moist rocky slopes and ravines of eastern North America. It is semi-evergreen, staying green throughout the winter only in the warmer parts of its range.

It is an easy-to-grow fern variety for any shaded location with consistently moist soil. The attractive fronds can be somewhat brittle, so they should be protected from heavy winds and frequent disturbance

Interrupted Fern 

A close-up of the Interrupted Fern, thriving in the autumn garden, showcases its elegant fronds. The blurred background features other vibrant green plants in the garden, creating a harmonious tapestry of seasonal colors and textures.
These ferns create attractive clumps when growing and shed their leaves in winter.
botanical-name botanical name Osmunda claytoniana
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Interrupted fern is an attractive variety native to the temperate regions of North America and Asia. While most produce spores on the backside of their leaflets, interrupted fern produces separate spore-bearing leaflets along the center stem of some fronds, giving it a uniquely characteristic appearance.  It forms attractive clumps during the growing season and loses its leaves during winter.

Japanese Holly Fern 

A close-up of Japanese Holly Fern reveals its vibrant green leaves glistening with moisture, creating a fresh and invigorating appearance. The lower portion showcases an abundance of lush, dark green leaves, adding depth and texture to the composition.
Japanese holly fern is excellent for shaded gardens with well-drained, moist soil.
botanical-name botanical name Cyrtomium falcatum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7 – 10

The Japanese holly fern is native to southern Asia but has naturalized in some regions in the United States. In warmer regions, it remains evergreen, while in cooler zones, it is deciduous.

It is easy to grow and looks nice in a shade garden with moist, well-drained soil. The fronds have large, leathery leaflets that give it a distinctive shape. It can also be grown as a houseplant. 

Japanese Painted Fern

A close-up of Japanese Painted Ferns showcases their elegant silvery-purple fronds, lending an air of sophistication to the scene. The intricate details of the fronds are beautifully captured, displaying their delicate and intricate nature.
Utilize the Japanese painted fern to introduce seasonal color to your landscape.
botanical-name botanical name Athyrium niponicum var. pictum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

The Japanese painted fern is unique and hard to miss. It is native to eastern Asia and grows well in a shaded location with organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. The leaves are very colorful and showy. They often have purplish-white to burgundy-red veins with silvery-green to silvery-purple frond coloration.

This fern variety displays the best color when grown in the shade. Use it to add seasonal color to your landscape and compliment other foliage plants with beautiful colors. 

Lady Fern 

A close-up of a Lady Fern highlights the exquisite frond, showcasing its intricate and delicate structure. The frond's unique patterns and graceful curvature add an air of natural beauty to the overall image.
Lady ferns create charming clusters, and their delicate leaves complement other shade garden plants.
botanical-name botanical name Athyrium felix-femina
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

The lady fern has a widespread range that includes the temperate zones of North America. It will grow well in a shade garden with rich, medium-moisture soil.

Lady fern is deciduous and will die back completely in the winter months. These plants will spread to form attractive colonies, and their delicate-looking foliage will look great alongside your other shade garden plants. 

Log Fern 

A close-up of the Log Fern features a detailed view of its frond, capturing its unique characteristics and structure. In the blurred background, other green plants add a sense of lushness and a natural environment to the scene.
Native to the central and eastern United States, the log fern is a tall species that thrives in moist woodland habitats.
botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris celsa
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 3 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

The log fern is a relatively tall type native to the central and eastern United States. It forms attractive upright clumps and, as the name implies, likes to grow near rotting logs in moist woodland habitats.

Plants can spread into broad clusters, forming attractive colonies. It would be a good addition to a shaded area with rich, moist soil, allowing it to naturalize and spread freely.

Maidenhair Fern

A close-up of the Maidenhair Fern reveals the exquisite intricacies of its delicate fronds. Against the blurred background of brown soil where it's planted, the fern's graceful and feathery foliage adds a touch of natural elegance to the setting.
Despite its delicate appearance, the maidenhair fern is robust and thrives in a moist shade garden.
botanical-name botanical name Adiantum pedatum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

The maidenhair fern is a deciduous species native to North America and Asia. It has very attractive fronds that are uniquely different from most other types.

Long, thin, bare stems emerge from the ground in the spring, at the top of which finger-like extensions unfurl, giving it an almost umbrella-like appearance. Although the maidenhair fern looks quite delicate, it is surprisingly hardy and easy to grow in your moist shade garden. 

Maidenhair Spleenwort

A close-up of Maidenhair Spleenwort reveals delicate fronds with intricate patterns, resembling delicate lace. This fern thrives in a rocky area, gracefully adapting to its harsh surroundings, showcasing nature's resilience.
Maidenhair spleenwort is ideal for compact spaces and gradually forms attractive ground cover colonies.
botanical-name botanical name Asplenium trichomanes
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 0.5 – 1 foot
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 8

The maidenhair spleenwort is a small fern native to rocky woodlands and mountainous regions of North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia. This is a great little variety to fill in smaller areas.

It will spread over time and can make an attractive ground cover with its colonies. Maidenhair spleenwort likes medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It would be a beautiful plant for a shaded rock garden. 

Marginal Shield Fern

A close-up of Marginal Shield Fern showcases a frond gracefully arching towards the ground, accompanied by scattered debris in the garden. Its elegance contrasts with the earthy chaos below, highlighting the beauty of simplicity.
This resilient fern remains green all year round and produces new fronds each spring.
botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris marginalis
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

The marginal shield fern is native to central and eastern North America. It forms a broad, open bowl shape with gracefully downward-curving fronds. It stays evergreen throughout the winter, refreshing with new fronds each spring.

Grow it with other shade-tolerant plants in a native shade garden. They will not spread quickly, but in ideal conditions, you will probably see occasional new young plants emerge within close proximity of the parent plant. 

Netted Chain Fern

A close-up of Netted Chain Fern reveals fronds with leaflets connected at their base, forming an intricate network. This unique feature sets it apart from other ferns, creating a mesmerizing visual appeal in any garden.
Native to eastern North America, the netted chain fern is a deciduous variety with unique fronds.
botanical-name botanical name Woodwardia areolata
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 9

The netted chain fern is native to eastern North America. It has very distinctive-looking fronds. Unlike most ferns, where the leaflets appear completely separate from each other, these leaflets appear connected at the base along the upper part of each frond.

This is an excellent plant for a naturalized woodland garden. The fronds will naturalize and spread to create a beautiful colony or ground cover

New York Fern

A close-up of 'New York Fern displays fronds that bask in the sunlight, casting a vibrant green glow. This fern's harmonious presence among other mountain plants demonstrates nature's collaborative artistry, making the landscape come alive.
Consider letting them flourish along a wetland’s border or on a shaded incline.
botanical-name botanical name Parathelypteris noveboracensis
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

The New York fern is widespread in moist forests and native to eastern North America. It grows very well in moist to wet soils with high acidity. It will spread readily by rhizomes and form large colonies.

Allow it to naturalize along a wetland edge or on a shaded slope. Plant some spring wildflowers nearby, and as the wildflowers finish their blooming session, the New York fern will just be starting to look its best.

Ostrich Fern 

A close-up of Ostrich Ferns unveils the tender sprouts of fronds, resembling the elegant fiddleheads of a violin. These emerging shoots promise a lush and vibrant future, showcasing the resilience and renewal of nature.
The ostrich fern can grow very tall in ideal conditions, forming dense clumps of vegetation.
botanical-name botanical name Matteuccia struthiopteris
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 6 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Ostrich fern is a showy type native to northeastern North America. This plant may not grow to its full height in all gardens, but it can grow quite tall in ideal conditions. Each individual plant will form a dense clump of vegetation. It prefers shaded woodlands with average-quality, consistently moist soils.

It spreads readily by runners and will develop dense colonies. Grow this plant only in cooler climates because it won’t tolerate the heat and humidity of the southern states

Rattlesnake Fern

A close-up of Rattlesnake Fern reveals fronds with a distinctive segmented pattern, resembling rattlesnake skin. The dark lower parts of the garden provide a striking backdrop, accentuating their unique structure.
This fern gradually forms appealing colonies when cultivated in a moist, shaded garden.
botanical-name botanical name Botrychium virginianum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 1 – 9

The rattlesnake fern is widespread throughout temperate climate regions of multiple continents. It prefers a shaded location with organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. Growing it in your shade garden with plenty of moisture ensures it can slowly spread over time to form attractive colonies.

The fronds typically split into a 3-way separation atop a single stem. A taller stem emerges from the center with an additional fertile spore-bearing frond. 

Royal Fern 

A close-up of Royal Fern showcases fronds with a regal appearance, characterized by their graceful, feather-like structure. They stand out against a background of dark green lush leaves in the garden, creating a beautiful contrast.
These ferns can handle some sunlight but prefer partial shade.
botanical-name botanical name Osmunda regalis
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 5 – 6 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 10

Royal fern is native throughout central and eastern North America. It loves moist woodland habitats and can grow especially large with organically rich, wet soil conditions. These plants produce golden-yellow spore-bearing frond sections at the ends of some central fronds.

The leaves and leaflets are broad and coarse and resemble pea plants at a glance. This variety can tolerate a fair amount of sunlight but still does best with some shade.

Sensitive Fern

A close-up of Sensitive Fern displays broad, finely serrated leaflets with vibrant shades of green. The intricate structure and contrasting colors make it a captivating garden specimen.
Beautiful sensitive fern features broad leaflets that look eye-catching in shaded areas.
botanical-name botanical name Onoclea sensibilis
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 3 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

Sensitive fern is a beautiful large species native to eastern North America. The broad leaflets make a very showy display in a shaded landscape. As the name implies, however, it is very sensitive to dry conditions and will quickly go dormant after the first frost. Don’t let this worry you.

However, this is a showy and low-maintenance shade garden plant. If you have average-quality soil that says consistently moist, this plant will thrive and naturalize, spreading to form dense colonies. 

Silvery Glade Fern

A close-up of Silvery Glade Fern exhibits fronds that glisten in the light, resembling silvery glades in a mystical forest. They thrive in the ground, surrounded by vibrant green grasses, creating a serene and enchanting scene.
The intriguing herringbone-like spore patterns on the undersides of the fronds are a captivating sight.
botanical-name botanical name Deparia acrostichoides
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

The silvery glade fern is a medium-sized variety native to central and eastern North America. It grows in moist woodlands and prefers a shaded environment with consistently moist soil.

It will spread by rhizomes to form dense colonies. Individual plants display attractive rounded forms, and the herringbone-like spore patterns on the underside of the fronds are also quite interesting to examine. 

Southern Lady Fern 

A close-up of Southern Lady Ferns highlights their luxuriant fronds, radiating an air of elegance and grace. These feathery fronds are a testament to nature's beauty and diversity.
Choose a shaded woodland garden with consistently damp soil to cultivate the southern lady fern successfully.
botanical-name botanical name Athyrium asplenioides
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 9

The southern lady fern is a vigorous medium-sized type native to the central and eastern United States. It grows in moist meadows, along woodland edges, and in varied forest understory environments.

It will spread readily by rhizomes to form dense colonies. You can allow them to naturalize and spread freely or divide larger clumps every few years. Grow it in your shaded woodland garden with consistently moist soil. 

Southern Shield Fern

A close-up of Southern Shield Fern reveals its finely divided fronds with delicate, feathery textures. In the background, a variety of lush plants in the garden provide a vibrant backdrop for this fern's beauty.
This deciduous fern goes dormant in winter but vigorously returns each spring.
botanical-name botanical name Thelypteris kunthii
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7 – 10

The southern shield fern is a vigorously growing variety native to the southeastern United States. It is fairly tolerant of sunlight but prefers at least some shade. Grow it in your woodland garden with rich, moist soil.

This is an excellent plant for a naturalized setting where it will spread by rhizomes to colonize large areas. It will go dormant in the winter months and regrow vigorously each spring. 

Southern Wood Fern 

A close-up of Southern Wood Fern showcases its gracefully arching fronds, adorned with small leaflets that create a lush and intricate foliage. The rich green color and delicate pattern make it a captivating sight.
The southern wood fern prefers moist soils, making it ideal for wetland areas.
botanical-name botanical name Dryopteris ludoviciana
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 6 – 10

The southern wood fern is native to the southeastern United States. It particularly likes moist soils and would thrive along a wetland edge. However, it is quite adaptable and will perform well in a wooded shade garden with average-quality, medium-moisture soil.

It’s evergreen within most of its range and will provide year-round interest. Over time, freely growing plants will spread slowly to create loose colonies of attractive vegetation. 

Tassel Fern

A close-up of Tassel Fern reveals a lush frond, its emerald green leaves glistening in the soft, dappled light of the forest. Each delicate leaf seems to capture the essence of nature's beauty.
To ensure its growth, provide organically rich, well-drained soil that stays moist.
botanical-name botanical name Polystichum polyblepharum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 8

The tassel fern is native to China, South Korea, and Japan. Growing it in a woodland shade garden or shaded naturalized area is easy. Give it organically rich, moist, well-drained soil.

It has fuzzy-looking stems and shiny, leathery leaves with graceful, downward-curved ends. This plant makes very attractive clusters that stay evergreen through the winter months

Variegated Holly Fern

A close-up of a Holly Fern. The fern frond exhibits its distinctive, holly-like appearance with its spiky, serrated edges and glossy, dark green leaves. The frond's unique texture and color are highlighted.
The variegated holly fern is a striking variety with evergreen foliage that renews itself each spring.
botanical-name botanical name Arachnoiodes simplicior ‘Variegata’
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7 – 9

The variegated holly fern is a very showy species native to China and Japan. This plant has evergreen foliage that will refresh each spring. The foliage is primarily deep green with yellowish streaks down the center of each leaflet.

It likes moist to wet, well-drained, acidic soil. The fronds have a more sparse appearance than many other denser-looking types, making this an appealing addition with a bit of diversity to your shade garden.

Virginia Chain Fern 

A close-up of a Virginia Chain Fern reveals its elegant, linear leaves arranged in a chain-like pattern along the frond. The contrast between the slender, dark fronds and the surrounding foliage is striking.
Make sure there is enough space for this spreading fern to create appealing colonies.
botanical-name botanical name Woodwardia virginica
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 10

The Virginia chain fern is a large variety native to eastern North America. This plant loves moist soil and would do very well near the edge of a wetland or alongside a stream. Give it a place in your shade garden with rich, moist soil.

Give it plenty of space to spread because it will form attractive colonies. The leaves are deciduous, dying back during the winter months, but will regrow vigorously the following spring

Western Maidenhair Fern 

A close-up of Western Maidenhair Fern captures its lush, delicate leaves with a captivating grace. The intricate, fan-shaped arrangement and vibrant green color create a mesmerizing display of natural beauty.
This deciduous species dies back to the ground each winter and rejuvenates in spring.
botanical-name botanical name Adiantum aleuticum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 0.75 – 2.5 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Western maidenhair fern is an attractive woodland species native to western North America. It will die back to the ground each winter and start fresh again each spring.

The western maidenhair has thin black stems that rise from the ground. A set of finger-like frondlets unfurls at the top of each stem for an almost umbrella-like display. It’s hardy and will do well if allowed to naturalize in a moist woodland garden with plenty of organic matter. 

Western Oak Fern

A close-up captures the exquisite fronds of the Western Oak Fern, with their delicate, lacy texture and vibrant green color. The fern gracefully intermingles with other lush green plants, creating a harmonious natural tapestry on the forest floor.
This fern stays compact and won’t spread quickly.
botanical-name botanical name Gymnocarpium disjunctum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 2 – 8

The western oak fern is native to the northwestern United States and western Canada. This plant grows naturally in moist forests, rocky slopes, and wooded wetland edges.

In the home landscape, give it a moist, shaded location. It probably won’t get too large or spread rapidly, so this would be an excellent plant for a smaller area, mixed in with some other shade garden specialists. 

Western Sword Fern

A close-up of a Western Sword Fern showcases its distinctive fronds that exhibit a striking serrated pattern. The fern seamlessly blends with the surrounding greenery, creating a harmonious and verdant garden scene.
Western sword ferns’ large, arching fronds create dense, hardy bunches, enhancing your woodland garden’s beauty.
botanical-name botanical name Polystichum munitum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 3 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 9

The western sword fern is easy to grow and low-maintenance. Place it in a shaded area with moist, acidic, well-drained soil.

This plant’s large, arching fronds form dense, hardy bunches that make a stunning addition to your woodland garden. Over time, it will naturalize and spread to create valuable wildlife habitat and a beautiful and dramatic display.

Wooly Lip Fern 

A close-up of a Wooly Lip Fern reveals its enchanting silvery-green leaves that glisten in the light. These unique leaves are highly attractive and add a touch of elegance to any garden or natural setting.
The wooly lip fern stands out for its exceptional tolerance to drought and sunlight.
botanical-name botanical name Hemionitis bradburyi
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 0.75 – 1.5 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 6 – 8

The wooly lip fern is unusual because it is more drought-tolerant and sun-tolerant than most other ferns. It is native to rocky locations in the southeastern United States and south into Mexico.

Grow it in a partly sunny or shaded area, in a rock garden, or in any location with very well-drained soil. It has silvery-green, fuzzy-looking leaves that are quite attractive and provide complimentary foliage to any other nearby garden plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find ferns to grow?

Since you can’t grow ferns from seeds (they grow from spores rather than seeds), you will need to acquire plants to start in your garden. You can find them for sale at many nurseries and garden centers or at specialty online retailers. Botanical gardens and garden clubs can be a good source of information as well. You can also ask your gardening friends and neighbors if they have any to divide and share.

Are ferns evergreen?

It depends on the species. Some are evergreen and keep their foliage throughout the winter. These evergreen varieties develop fresh fronds in the springtime as the old foliage looks worn out. Others are deciduous and go dormant for the winter. Some of these will die back at the first frost, while hardier varieties will last through the fall and possibly into early winter before dying back completely.

Can I grow ferns in containers or raised beds?

As long as your container or raised bed is in a suitable location, many ferns can be easily grown in this arrangement. Most appreciate shade and moist soil, so you’ll want to have your beds and containers in an area protected from the sun where you can also water them regularly to help keep the soil moist. Containers and raised bed gardening have the advantage of being able to create ideal soil conditions for whichever plants you choose to grow.

Final Thoughts

Ferns are diverse, beautiful plants. They are easy to grow in shaded spots in your yard, where it can be difficult to grow other plants. One of the best things about ferns is that there are so many wonderful varieties to choose from! Grow a few different varieties, as long as they perform well in your region, and you will soon have a thriving shade garden to enjoy all year round.

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