7 Native Ferns: Their Environmental Benefits

An Introduction to 7 Native Ferns and Their Benefits

 Ferns are a diverse and ancient group of plants that have existed for millions of years. They are found in almost every environment on earth, from deserts to rainforests. In addition to their beauty, ferns have several benefits, including their ability to filter pollutants from the air, stabilize soil, and provide habitat for various wildlife.

This article will discuss seven native ferns and their benefits and provide tips for growing and caring for ferns in your landscape.

  • Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Pedatum).
  • Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis).
  • Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).
  • Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda strum Cinnamomum).
  • Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis).
  • Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthio Pteris).
  • Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina).

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Pedatum)

Maidenhair ferns are a popular choice for shady gardens and woodland landscapes. These delicate ferns have fronds that resemble lace and can grow up to 18 inches tall. They are native to eastern North America and can be found in woodlands, rocky slopes, and wetlands.

 

Benefits:

Maidenhair ferns are excellent at removing pollutants from the air, making them a great addition to urban gardens. They serve as a host plant for the rare Appalachian blue butterfly. In addition, maidenhair ferns have been used for medicinal purposes. They contain compounds that can reduce inflammation and promote healthy digestion.

Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)

Royal ferns are a stunning addition to any landscape, with fronds that can grow up to six feet tall. They are native to wetlands and other areas with high moisture levels but can also be grown in well-drained soil with regular watering. Royal ferns are known for their large, showy fronds that turn a beautiful golden color in the fall.

 

Benefits:

Royal ferns have several benefits. They are excellent at stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, making them a great choice for slopes and other areas where erosion is a concern. They serve as a host plant for the rare Appalachian blue butterfly. In addition, royal ferns have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They contain compounds that can help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides):

Christmas ferns are hardy and easy to grow in woodlands and other shady areas throughout eastern North America. They are named for their evergreen fronds, which landscapes can be enhanced with color and texture year-round. Christmas ferns are also known for tolerating various growing conditions, from dry to wet soil.

 

Benefits:

Christmas ferns are excellent at stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, making them a great choice for slopes and other areas where erosion is a concern. They are also a host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths. In addition, Christmas ferns have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They contain compounds that can help to reduce fever and relieve coughs.

Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda strum Cinnamomum):

Cinnamon ferns are a native fern species found in wetlands and other areas with high moisture levels. They are named for the cinnamon-colored hairs that cover the fronds as they emerge in the spring. Cinnamon ferns can grow up to five feet tall and add a dramatic element to any landscape.

 

Benefits:

Cinnamon ferns are excellent at removing air pollutants and can help improve air quality in urban areas. They are a host plant for butterflies and moths. They are host plants for butterflies and moths. They contain compounds that can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis):

Sensitive ferns are native fern species found in wetlands and other areas with high moisture levels. They are named for their sensitivity to frost, which can cause the fronds to wilt and die back. Sensitive ferns have a unique appearance, with deeply lobed and finely divided fronds.

 

Benefits:

Sensitive ferns have several benefits. They are excellent at stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, making them a great choice for slopes and other areas where erosion is a concern. They are also a host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths. In addition, sensitive ferns have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They contain compounds that can help to reduce inflammation and promote healthy digestion.

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthio Pteris):

Ostrich ferns are a native fern species found in wetlands and other areas with high moisture levels. They are named for their large, feathery fronds that resemble the plumes of an ostrich. Ostrich ferns can grow up to six feet tall and add a bold and dramatic element to any landscape.

 

Benefits:

Ostrich ferns have several benefits. They are excellent at removing air pollutants and can help improve air quality in urban areas. They are also a host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths. In addition, ostrich ferns have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They contain compounds that can help to reduce inflammation and promote healthy digestion.

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina):

Lady ferns are a native fern species found in woodlands and other shady areas throughout North America. They are named for their delicate and lacy fronds, which can add a soft and graceful element to any landscape. Lady ferns are also known for tolerating various growing conditions, from dry to moist soil.

 

Benefits:

Lady ferns have several benefits. They are excellent at stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, making them a great choice for slopes and other areas where erosion is a concern. They are also a host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths. In addition, lady ferns have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. They contain compounds that can help to reduce inflammation and promote healthy digestion.

How To Grow and Care Native Ferns

Ferns are a beautiful and beneficial addition to any landscape. They can filter pollutants from the air, stabilize soil, and provide habitat for wildlife. To grow native ferns successfully, choosing a suitable location with well-draining soil and shaded is essential. Water regularly moistens the soil, especially during hot and dry periods.

And when it comes to caring for native ferns involves regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist, pruning dead or damaged fronds throughout the growing season, and applying a light application of fertilizer if necessary. Native ferns are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but watching for slugs, snails, and fungal diseases is crucial. Furthermore, during winter, most native ferns are cold-hardy and do not require special care. However, a layer of mulch can be applied to protect the roots from frost heave.

Growing and caring for native ferns is a relatively simple process. By following the guidelines mentioned above, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of native ferns in your landscape.

Final Remarks

Clearly, native ferns are an excellent addition to any landscape. They offer a range of benefits, from stabilizing soil and preventing erosion to improving air quality and providing habitat for wildlife. In addition, many native ferns have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.

When choosing a native fern to add to your landscape, it's essential to consider the growing conditions of your site. Some ferns prefer moist soil and shade, while others can tolerate various conditions. By selecting the suitable fern for your site and providing it with the proper care, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of these remarkable plants for years to come.

 

maidenhair fern - TN Nursery

Maidenhair Fern

The Maidenhair Fern is a delicate, deciduous plant with finely divided, fan-shaped fronds and distinctive black stems, adding an elegant touch to shaded gardens and moist woodlands. It is an aesthetically pleasing plant that offers a range of benefits when used in landscaping. Its unique characteristics and visual appeal make it famous for outdoor and indoor spaces.  The Maidenhair is prized for its delicate leaves and long lifespan. The scientific name is Adiantum SPP, and it's part of 250 species of these plants, including the Northern, Delta, and Southern Maidenhair ferns. The Greek part of the plant's official name means unwetted, and it gets that name from its ability to shed water without getting damp. These plants are native to the Himalayas, East Asia, and the eastern part of North America. Maidenhair Fern's Leaves  Adiantum spp are prized for their fan-shaped leaves. They are known to make excellent houseplants and usually grow between one and two feet tall and the same width. Their stems are wiry black, while the leaves are bright green. Gardeners can expect them to reach their full height in three years, and with proper care, they can live up to 15 years. Maidenhair Fern Grows Well In Pots  Adiantum SPP grows well in pots, containers, and terrariums and can be replanted as it outgrows its container. It also makes great container plants and can be planted in shade gardens and hosta gardens. The Adiantum SPP is known for its air purification qualities. The leaves draw in airborne toxins and are used as nutrients, helping them clean the air wherever they are planted. They also release moisture, which can help combat dry indoor air. When the Adiantum SPP is grown outdoors, it can help stabilize loose soil and cover wildlife, including frogs, lizards, and birds. Birds will sometimes use the dried frons to line their nests. Companion Plants For Maidenhair Fern  The Adiantum SPP can be grown with other flowers and ferns, including the strawberry begonia, coral bells, ginger, woodland geraniums, bloodroot, hostas, hellebores, and pulmonarias. Gardeners can enjoy the calmness of Maidenhair Ferns indoors and outdoors. They make excellent potted plants and look wonderful around water features and along hillsides. They can also be combined with other ferns and flowers to create eye-catching garden beds.

Royal Fern - TN Nursery

Royal Fern

The Royal Fern is a large, striking fern with feathery fronds and a distinctive crown of fertile fronds. It is typically found in wetland habitats and is appreciated for its ornamental appeal in gardens. The Royal Fern is distinctive from other plants in the class because of its notable size. Specifically, this is one of the largest that grows outside of tropical zones in the United States. Also known as the osmunda regalis, the plant thrives in areas of the yard that are moist, including both shady and partially shady spots. Why should you include it in your landscaping plans? The Appearance Of Royal Fern The plant is appropriately named because it can grow up to six feet tall, and its size at maturity often makes it a solid focal point in yards. The fronds can be as comprehensive as 16 inches and feature up to nine pinna pairs, each with up to 13 pinnules. These qualities, combined with the healthy green color and the point shape of the fronts, add a rich texture to your yard that elevates aesthetics. The Wildlife Attraction and Tolerance Of Royal Fern While some wildlife is welcome in your yard, others can cause considerable damage and should be deterred. The potential damage from foragers like deer and rabbits is deterred as these animals do not use this plant for food. However, turtles, birds, and frogs, which generally do not cause damage, often seek shelter in their bushy leaves. Royal Fern is Pest Resistant While hungry insects often feed on various types of plants, it is well-known for repelling them. Specifically, the recognizable leaves have particular proteins that repel many kinds of insects. Any insects that do find their way to these plants often become food for the birds and other animals that live under the fronds for protection from the elements and their natural predators. When Royal Ferns are planted three feet apart, as recommended, there is little concern about them outgrowing their allocated space. The plants grow only a few inches yearly and do not need to be cut back to prevent overgrowth. As a result, it takes many years for the plant to reach its full size, and minimal care of this low-maintenance plant is required.

Christmas Fern - TN Nursery

Christmas Fern

Christmas ferns are known for their evergreen fronds that stay green throughout the winter, making them a popular choice for holiday decorations. An evergreen plant that offers numerous landscaping benefits. Its elegant appearance, resilience, and adaptability make it a favorite choice for professional landscapers and homeowners alike. One of the key advantages of incorporating it into landscaping is its aesthetic appeal. Christmas Ferns - a Semi Evergreen Native Fern Species The fronds of Christmas ferns are distinctive for their lustrous, dark green coloration. The crownless rootstock produces clusters of fronds that can be one to two feet long. Wintertime sees the delicate, light-green leaves changing color from green to golden. They are great for covering uneven terrain since they spread slowly from dormant rhizomes and develop in clusters. These native plants keep their greenery throughout the year to start photosynthesis earlier. The presence of chlorophyll, which indicates the photosynthesis process is underway, is indicated by the color green. These plants do not flower. They are spore-borne rather than gametophytic. However, they boast verdant foliage from April to the first frost; these silvery green baby fronds, known as fiddleheads, emerge in the early spring as new leaves. Protect the Yard From Soil Erosion With Christmas Fern Christmas Ferns keep their fronds in winter; they press down on fallen leaves to hasten their decomposition and provide nutrients to the soil. This goes a long way in protecting the yard against soil erosion. These plants also stop soil erosion by using their roots to bind the soil together. Plus, when planted firmly in the ground, they create thick barriers made of stems that reduce the rate at which water flows through them. Create Natural Landscapes With Christmas Fern A lot of people like to plant it in their yards because of the texture and foliage they provide. They do a great job at creating natural-looking landscapes. The fact that they are hardy enough to survive light snowfall and cold makes them perfect for winter gardening. They can also handle a large range of soil types and flourish in partly shady or entirely shaded locations. Birds, insects, and even small mammals may find food and refuge under them. The dense vegetation provides excellent cover for ground-dwelling species. The plants conceal prey from predators by shading other animals and invertebrates that feed on the ground.

Cinnamon Fern - TN Nursery

Cinnamon Fern

The Cinnamon Fern is a large deciduous plant characterized by its distinctive, brown-colored fertile fronds standing upright in the center. It is captivating and versatile and has numerous landscaping benefits. This plant, native to eastern North America, has become famous for gardeners and landscapers due to its aesthetic appeal, adaptability, and environmental contributions. Cinnamon Fern grows to a height of 6 feet and spreads about 4 feet on its black stalks. The unfurled pinnae are Kelly green on top, while the fronds in the center of the plant, which give it its name, are dark brown and resemble sticks of cinnamon because they grow straight up. Cinnamon Fern - Osmundastrum Cinnamomeum Early in the spring, the central fronds that turn brown later start life as silver-colored fiddleheads. They're covered in fur, too, charmingly "shaking off the cold of winter." The broad fronds on the stalks form a cute rosette around the central stalks. The silver fiddleheads match well with Fescue or Brunner. Those fiddleheads appear early in the year when the top of the plant is clumped together in a cute bundle. As the Cinnamon Fern Opens When the fiddleheads are ready to open, their silver hair turns brown and clings to the base of the pinnae as they expand to their full glory. The large, broad pinnae on 3-foot fronds is the sterile variety. In the center of the plant, the brown-colored fronds with much smaller pinnae are the fertile fronds. The plant's attractiveness comes from the contrast between the two frond types. Secondarily, the contrast between the expanded fronds and any nearby silver flowers they used to match is equally striking. When it comes to the sterile fronds, they can hold almost two dozen pinnae that taper gently in size from large to small, creating a shape that nearly resembles a palm frond made up of pinnae. The Sporangia Of The Cinnamon Fern This plant doesn't have sori. Instead, it has sporangia that surround the stalk of the fertile frond. These turn brown as they open and give the plant its name. Up close, they're made up of tiny dots that wrap around the stalk in delicate, beautiful shapes. From the time the plants peek through until the fiddleheads unfurl, it is about a week during the spring. During this time, you can see the shape of the pinnae and fronds develop and become full members of the garden for that year. Cinnamon Fern makes an attractive, striking, and attention-grabbing entry in any garden, and because they're perennial, they'll be back every year to be a lovely garden anchor.

Royal Fern - TN Nursery

Royal Fern

The Royal Fern is a large, striking fern with feathery fronds and a distinctive crown of fertile fronds. It is typically found in wetland habitats and is appreciated for its ornamental appeal in gardens. The Royal Fern is distinctive from other plants in the class because of its notable size. Specifically, this is one of the largest that grows outside of tropical zones in the United States. Also known as the osmunda regalis, the plant thrives in areas of the yard that are moist, including both shady and partially shady spots. Why should you include it in your landscaping plans? The Appearance Of Royal Fern The plant is appropriately named because it can grow up to six feet tall, and its size at maturity often makes it a solid focal point in yards. The fronds can be as comprehensive as 16 inches and feature up to nine pinna pairs, each with up to 13 pinnules. These qualities, combined with the healthy green color and the point shape of the fronts, add a rich texture to your yard that elevates aesthetics. The Wildlife Attraction and Tolerance Of Royal Fern While some wildlife is welcome in your yard, others can cause considerable damage and should be deterred. The potential damage from foragers like deer and rabbits is deterred as these animals do not use this plant for food. However, turtles, birds, and frogs, which generally do not cause damage, often seek shelter in their bushy leaves. Royal Fern is Pest Resistant While hungry insects often feed on various types of plants, it is well-known for repelling them. Specifically, the recognizable leaves have particular proteins that repel many kinds of insects. Any insects that do find their way to these plants often become food for the birds and other animals that live under the fronds for protection from the elements and their natural predators. When Royal Ferns are planted three feet apart, as recommended, there is little concern about them outgrowing their allocated space. The plants grow only a few inches yearly and do not need to be cut back to prevent overgrowth. As a result, it takes many years for the plant to reach its full size, and minimal care of this low-maintenance plant is required.

Ostrich Fern - TN Nursery

Ostrich Fern

The Ostrich Fern is a large, deciduous fern with graceful, feathery fronds that resemble ostrich plumes. It is commonly found in moist woodland areas and is prized for its ornamental value. The plant is a magnificent and beneficial plant with several advantages in landscaping projects. The Tall and Lovely Ostrich Fern Ostrich Fern is an attractive dimorphic plant that gardeners use all year round to beautify their patches. In its nonfertile state, the plant grows to a height of 6 feet, the gorgeous fronds resembling plumes, hence the plant's name. In its fertile state, which occurs in the fall and early winter, it is much smaller. However, The shape is attractive, so it still provides pleasing shapes in a garden, even if that shape changes. The Different Phases of Ostrich Fern When nonfebrile, it is a rich, almost Kelly green, the arching fronds swooshing enticingly in the breeze. It contrasts with other blooming plants and serves as a color anchor in a garden of flowers. They're hardy, too, so you can plant them nearly anywhere to beautify a particular place. Although they aren't green and sweeping in the winter, they're still attractive as they survive the cold and snow while the perennials sleep until spring. First, Ostrich Fern's extensive root system is an excellent soil stabilizer, and the other plants in the garden will benefit thereby because its roots prevent erosion and nutrient loss in the soil. Second, they are a boon to various garden-dwelling wildlife. Several species of butterflies and beneficial insects rely on plants like it for shelter and as a place for egg laying and pupae maturation. Perhaps best of all, although fiddleheads are a delicacy for people when cooked, animals don't like their taste. So, you won't have to worry about rabbits, deer, and other woodland creatures venturing into the garden for a snack. The Serenity Of Ostrich Fern Feng shui practitioners rely on it to bring harmony to a dwelling and the adjacent garden. The way it morphs back into a verdant, thriving plant after being so much smaller throughout the winter also indicates a symbolism of new beginnings.

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