Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Ferns are some of the oldest aliveness plants , develop in a wide compass of cold , temperate , and tropic climate around the world . There are at least 12,000 species , from miniature to towering tree word form . These ancient industrial plant , which evolve before flowering flora , procreate from leaf spores rather than seed .
There are many fern types that can prosper in your landscape . Most fern prefer fishy , damp conditions and are low maintenance , with few pests or diseases . fern mate well with many other subtlety plants , as a serene green backcloth or fill center stage . Here are some of the best out-of-door fern to grow , along with outdoor growing tips .
On this page : eccentric of Outdoor Ferns|Growing Ferns out-of-doors
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TYPES OF OUTDOOR FERNS
fern can be hardy or tropic , with evergreen , deciduous , herbaceous , or semi - evergreen forms . Here are some different types of outdoor ferns to turn :
Photo by Mauro Rodrigues / Shutterstock .
AUSTRALIAN TREE FERN ( Cyathea cooperi , syn . Sphaeropteris cooperi )
Zones:9 - 11Habit : vertical spreading habitHeight / Spread:15 to 25 foot improbable , 10 to 12 feet wideExposure : Partial or dappled sun to shade
This evergreen ship’s boat perennial has a tall tree - like trunk with large delicately textured frond that create an umbrella - similar canopy . Use as a dramatic focal point in a Mediterranean - stylus landscape , in borders or containers .
Photo by Janet Loughrey
AUTUMN FERN ( Dryopteris erythrosora )
Zones:5 - 9Habit : Upright clumping habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 ft magniloquent and wideExposure : fond to full tincture
This colored fern is named for the coppery - orange tones that go on on the new leaf in outflow , give it a fall - alike visual aspect . Attractive triangular frond mature to dismal green as the time of year progresses . Plant this semi - evergreen perennial in a woodland border or container . Suitable for small space .
photograph by Young Swee Ming / Shutterstock
CHRISTMAS FERN ( Polystichum acrostichoides )
Zones:3 - 8Habit : mound clumping habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet magniloquent and wideExposure : fond to full spectre
aboriginal to eastern North America , this audacious evergreen fern is named for its resilience to early season snow . inscrutable green , leathery foliage is deep dissected , standing upright to take form a lush fountain - corresponding crown . Plant in a woodland shade border or as a earth cover . Cut frond can be used in Christmas flowered arrangements .
photograph by Todd Boland / Shutterstock
CINNAMON FERN ( Osmundastrum cinnamomeum )
Zones:3 - 9Habit : Upright vase - mold habitHeight / Spread:2 to 3 animal foot tall and wideExposure : fond to full specter
This aboriginal deciduous fern green groceries upright spore - bearing fronds that that turn dark-brown , with sterile green fronds that emerge around the fundament . Cinnamon fern is call for the cinnamon - colored fibers found near the base of the frond . Mass this wet - get laid deciduous fern along a watercourse or pond , or in a shade borderline .
Photo by Vankich1 / Shutterstock
HAIRY LIP FERN ( Cheilanthes lanosasyn . Myriopteris lanosa )
Zones:5 - 8Habit : Compact creep habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 inches tall , 8 to 15 inches wideExposure : Full to fond sun
One of the few sunshine - love fern , this exceptionally drought - tolerant aboriginal occurs on rough outcrops and crevices in the east , midwest , and southern U.S. The exquisitely dissected olive - green fronds and compendious habit make this a well companion for alpine industrial plant . Prefers farinaceous , well - drained soil . Plant in a rock and roll garden , dry border , or container . Evergreen in milder climate and cervid resistant .
Photo by guentermanaus / Shutterstock
HART ‘S TONGUE FERN ( Asplenium scolopendrium )
Zones:5 - 9Habit : Upright vase - shaped habitHeight / Spread:12 to 18 inches tall and wideExposure : fond to full shadiness
Sword - shaped rippled fronds are undivided for a rich visual aspect . The bright light-green foliage mould a neat clump , with chocolate-brown spore creating a distinct ribbed design on the undersides . Use this diminutive evergreen plant fern in a rock garden , container , as edging , or massed as a ground cover .
picture by Svetlana Mahovskaya .
HOLLY FERN ( Cyrtomium falcatum , syn . Aspidium falcatum )
Zones:7 - 11Habit : vertical clippety-clop habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet tall , 2 to 3 feet wideExposure : Partial to full shade
Holly fern is named for the resemblance of the glossy folio to holly shrub . The blockheaded leathery frond delay evergreen plant in warmer regions . industrial plant in a shade border , rock and roll garden , or naturalize along a pond or stream .
picture by Janet Loughrey .
Nipponese paint FERN ( Athyrium niponicumvar.pictum )
Zones:3 - 9Habit : Upright arching habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet tall and wideExposure : Partial to full ghost
Also known as paint lady fern , this reliable deciduous perennial is grown for the patterned foliage in shades of silver , green , and Burgundy wine . Pairing well with many other shade - loving perennials , Japanese painted fern is versatile in forest borders , mass plantings , as pathway edging , or in containers .
LADY FERN ( Athyrium filix - femina )
Zones:4 - 8Habit : arch vase - shaped habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 feet improbable , 1 to 2 - 1/2 feet wideExposure : Part sun to shade
Lady fern produces vibrant greenish triangular frond with unripened , crimson , or over-embellished stems . This hardy deciduous fern is low maintenance and devoid of pests and diseases . Naturalize in a woodland border , or along a current or pool .
MAIDENHAIR FERN ( Adiantumspp . )
Zones:3 - 11Habit : Mounding or fan out habitHeight / Spread:6 to 36 inches magniloquent , 12 to 36 inch wideExposure : Part Sunday to shade
finespun feathery green frond add fine texture to the landscape . This deciduous perennial can be naturalized as a priming coat cover or in rock walls where moisture is present . Plant in a shady timberland perimeter , rainwater garden , or container . May also be grown as a houseplant .
OSTRICH FERN ( Matteuccia struthiopteris )
Zones:3 - 7Habit : Upright clumping habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 feet marvellous , 3 to 4 metrical foot wideExposure : Partial to full tincture
The farsighted feathery fronds are reminiscent of ostrich plume , hence the common name . New growth unfurls gracefully in spring with a vase - shaped substance abuse that adds elegance to the landscape . Naturalize this hardy deciduous fern in a woodland setting , bog garden , or near a pond or flow .
ROYAL FERN ( Osmunda spectabilis , syn . O. regalis )
Zones:3 - 9Habit : Upright spread habitHeight / Spread:2 to 5 feet tall , 2 to 3 feet wideExposure : fond to full tone
Named for its elegant structure and grain , royal fern produce tall stand of deeply dissected fronds . rust-brown brown fertile stiletto heel accentuate the bright green foliation , which turn reddish brown in gloaming . Plant in a shade border , rainwater garden , or along a stream or pond .
photograph by Nikolay Kurzenko / Shutterstock
SENSITIVE FERN ( Onoclea sensibilis )
Zones:4 - 9Habit : Upright distribute habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 feet tall , 2 to 4 ft wideExposure : Partial to full shade
This hardy deciduous fern is name for its sensitivity to frost . deep lobed wan - green fronds come out in springiness from rootstalk , with fertile fronds turning brown in previous summer . develop this easy - care perennial in a cool moist location such as a bog , pond , or body of water garden .
STAGHORN FERN ( Platycerium bifurcatum )
Zones:9 - 12Habit : Spreading habitHeight / Spread:2 to 3 feet tall and wideExposure : Partial to full shade
Staghorn fern , named for the thick light-green fronds that grow in an antler - similar structure , is a slowly - growing epiphyte typically turn on a plaque . This tropical , native to Australia and Asia , is deadening growing , but becomes an impressive size once it contact maturity . show as a ornamental accent on a wall or fence out of doors in warmer month and overwinter indoors as a houseplant .
exposure by Danita Delimont / Shutterstock
WESTERN SWORD FERN ( Polystichum munitum )
Zones:5 - 9Habit : mound arching habitHeight / Spread:2 to 4 feet tall and wideExposure : fond to full shadowiness
aboriginal to western North America , this fern is characterise by long , lance - shape foliage with deeply dissected leave-taking . Plants are evergreen or semi - evergreen , with dense clump of frond emerging from a crown of scaly rootstock . Grow underneath shadowiness trees or naturalize in a forest garden . Adaptable to unlike soils and is somewhat drouth kind .
GROWING FERNS OUTDOORS
There are many fern variety available to home gardener that are become to out-of-door conditions . Some bid fern can be overwintered indoors as a houseplant in colder climates . When give the correct conditions , fern are easy to grow . Needs vary count on the mixture , so research individual fern to check that you are giving them the best care . Here are some canonic develop tips :
Light : select a partially shaded site such as underneath a tree or on the north or east side of a home plate . Some ferns prefer more light , while others can permit more ghost . Full sun may cause foliage scorch .
Soil : supply well - draining soil that is amend with compost or other racy organic matter . Most ferns favour a slightly acidic pH. For containers , use a high-pitched - tone , all - purpose potting mix and make trusted pot have adequate drainage holes .
piddle : fern favour moist soil , though not soggy . grant territory to dry out out slimly in between waterings . Containers dry out out more quickly , so will necessitate more frequent water .
Fertilize : fern need little or no supplementary fertilizer . In early outflow , mulch around the infrastructure of plants with a thin layer of compost , pine barque , or pine needles .
Pests and diseases : When grown out of doors , fern experience few pest or disease . Inspect plants on affair and treat symptom accordingly . ( See more ongarden pests and diseases . )
Photo by Proven Winners
WHAT ABOUT ASPARAGUS FERN?
While not a true fern , edible asparagus fern ( Asparagusspp . ) is produce for its feathery green leaves that make an airy force . This pinnace herbaceous perennial can be acquire outdoors year - round in frost - innocent zones , process as an annual in cold zones , or grown as a houseplant . Display in a hanging field goal or container .
Zones:9 - 11Habit : just shaggy habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 feet tall , 1 - 1/2 to 4 fundament wideExposure : Partial sun alfresco , hopeful collateral light-colored indoors
Note : There are several metal money of asparagus fern , with some list as highly invasive in many sphere when grown alfresco . moderate locally to see if this is an issue where you are .
