Ferns for Sunny Spaces

Sensitive Fern

The sensitive fern is a hardy, deciduous plant with finely dissected fronds that curl up when touched or exposed to frost, making it a unique and interesting addition to damp woodland gardens. A sensitive fern is a beloved plant that gets its name due to its sensitive nature, preferring certain environments that are mostly warm and humid. But despite its name, it's one that you shouldn't overlook if you live in a region that it can grow in. Let's take a look at why this perennial plant is a must-have for your landscape. Sensitive Fern Produces a Stunning Spectacle When Planted in Greater Numbers This plant looks good on its own, but it produces a lush, green, thick spectacle that easily adds something more to any space when you plant multiple of these perennials together. The lobed leaves blend together and reach up and out at a maximum height of about two feet. If you want to add some volume and life to spaces that need it most, consider adding several of these plants to your landscape. They may even spread naturally with time. Sensitive Fern Acts As a Home for Wildlife These plants grow in areas where wildlife flourishes, which means that they play an important role in the ecosystem. Speaking of its more practical uses, small animals like frogs and salamanders will use the leaves of this plant to take cover and escape from the heat. If you're looking for plants that are friends with and attractors of wildlife, this one will be an excellent fit for your space. Wildlife Feed on Sensitive Fern, But Won't Eradicate Your Plants This plant also serves as source for animals and insects, but you won't have to worry about the wildlife population in your area decimating your plants before you're able to enjoy them. This plant is both deer and rabbit-resistant, with larger animals only taking a few of the leaves or avoiding them entirely. This ensures that your plants still contribute positively to the environment but aren't at risk of being wiped out by animals. Sensitive Fern Can Serve As Greenery in More Bare Areas Where more common plants are unable to grow, groundcover like this plant is the perfect solution. Adding height and color to more moist and humid areas of your property, these perennials take root and help your property look less bare, supporting the areas in your yard that need it most.

New York Fern

The New York Fern is a native, deciduous species with delicate, lacy fronds and a distinctive appearance, commonly found in Eastern North American woodlands. These medium-sized, deciduous plants offer a delightful display of yellow-green fronds that carpet the forest floor. The appearance of this plant is that it is blade-shaped with triangular blades. The plant's blade is most comprehensive in the middle and tapers sharply at both ends. The New York Fern is a type of plant that grows well throughout the eastern part of North America, and it's found in large numbers throughout New York. This perennial might just be what you need to fill certain spaces in your yard that would benefit from greenery but might not as be as friendly towards some of the flowers that currently occupy your space. Let's see why this plant might be a good fit in your current landscape. New York Fern Reduces Soil Erosion and Weed Growth These plants are typically used as groundcover in areas where grass and other plants don't do as well. As a result, filling these spaces comes with some benefits. First, this plant takes root to prevent soil erosion in areas where soil isn't being kept in place by root systems. As an added benefit, the growth of this lush green plant throughout your yard makes it difficult for weeds to take root, preventing unwanted weed growth. New York Fern Can Improve the Air Quality Around You These plants are adept at capturing pollutants from the air and making it so that you can breathe a bit easier and enjoy your outdoor space. If you're someone who's constantly being bothered by dust or pollen, consider adding this plant to your landscape along with others that are known to improve air quality. The New York Fern Is a Good Cover for Wildlife Without the Risk of Being Eaten Biodiversity is important on any property, and you'll find that this plant is a friend to local wildlife. For example, this ground cover is known to serve as a great cover for certain animals like toads. The better news? It's not a plant that's typically sought after by larger animals like deer, which means that it will provide cover for other animals until the cold weather comes in. Grows Fast and Gets Thicker With Time This plant is a fast-growing plant that will quickly establish itself in your space, and trailing rhizomes will constantly be shooting up additional fronds that provide an even thicker look to your space. If you're looking for something that's hard to ruin and will start thriving in certain spaces almost immediately, this is the ground cover to go with.