Ferns are natural air purifiers that remove toxins like arsenic from the soil
Ferns remove harmful and potent toxins from the soil, like formaldehyde and arsenic. They are also bio-indicators and absorb toxins in their fronds. They make perfect border plants and shade garden classics, and rightfully so. However, many don't realize that many do not require full shade and will flourish in partial or filtered sunshine conditions.
Ferns come in various sizes, shapes, and cold hardiness. You can find a lovely one to suit your needs and beautify your yard. Think outside the shade garden! They are ideal around the north-facing foundation of your home. There's a fern for you if you have a partially shady spot to fill...
TN Nursery proudly grows over a dozen ferns for your selection. Our plants must meet our high standards before we ship them to you. As you shop for plants, you can rest easy and know that we have the expertise to raise the most vigorous selections you will find.
Here is a little more information about our offerings:
Ferns for Shade:
Ferns are an ancient form dating back to an era that predates the dinosaurs. Fossils show that they flourished in rich, fertile forest floors with plenty of moisture and great organic matter. That's not so different from many of our shade gardens!
Here are three of our best shade lovers:
Ferns for Sun:
Ferns can tolerate filtered sunshine or the early morning sun with afternoon shade. Ideally, they prefer the shade. But this plant family is highly agreeable and adapts easily--which explains how they survived for many millennia.
Try planting these sun-tolerant picks in filtered sun or partial shade locations:
Easy Ferns to Grow:
From a technical standpoint, all are easy ferns to grow. They require only fertile soil, sufficient water, and a position in the proper light conditions.
The key to success is to provide them with the growing conditions they need. So as you browse our website, be mindful of your USDA growing zone; our technology geolocates your position and will suggest the best fit for your climate.
Here are some TN Nursery best-sellers:
Ferns for Cold Zones:
Cool zone gardening can often present challenges in finding the best plant variety. However, they are present in one form or another on every continent except Antarctica.
Here are a few products TN Nursery makes available that are appropriate for cooler zones:
Ferns Are a TN Nursery Best-Selling Category
TN Nursery customers love ferns! They are easy-care plants that require only occasional maintenance. You can find a suitable option for every continental American growing zone. We invite you to shop today and contact us if you have any questions.
Ferns- If you want high-quality air purifiers, opt for native ferns. They are bioindicators and work well as border plants in the shade or with filtered sunlight.
Anatomy of Native Fern Plants
Ferns are hardy, resilient plants that are easy to care for and fill gardens with grace, texture, and magnificent greenery. Unlike most plants, they can thrive in shady conditions or filtered sunlight, making them the perfect solution for all zone and shade gardens in the northernmost regions of the United States.
Ferns: Soil Preparation for Thriving Plants
Native ferns thrive in shaded woodland areas, particularly where significant rotted leaf decay. The leaves act as compost/fertilizer, letting the plant's growth take off. Best of all, they don't require pruning, pinching, or staking like some sensitive plants, making them almost maintenance-free!
Ferns Strategic Usage & Placement
We've discussed how winter-hardy plants can thrive in cold northern climates and shady environments, but there are some additional ways you can use your plants to their fullest potential.
Used as Border Plants
Certain native fern plant species of this plant can function as great border plants, ideal for landscaping situations such as:
- Shaded Driveways
- Woodland Paths
- Walkways
- Lawn Borders
- Garden Borders
Plants that can function as great borders include the Ostrich Fern, Hay Scented Fern, Narrow Leaf Glade Fern, Christmas Fern, New York Fern, Bracken Fern, and Lady Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Leatherwood Fern, Walking Fern, and Sensitive Fern.
Use one of these plant species as a border for your garden, walkway, or wooded path, and it'll be worthall the effortonce they mature in a few short years.
Believe it or not, some can function as excellent companions in flower beds and gardens based on their color and texture. For flower gardens and beds, we recommend planting the Lady Fern, Leatherwood Fern, Walking Fern, Sensitive Fern, or the Fiddlehead Fern, which has a truly unique pattern that'll stand out in any garden.
Deer-Resistant Ferns
We have several species that are deer resistant. The Maidenhair Fern and Walking Fern are less susceptible to deer from the ferns in our collection.
Shade-Adaptive Ferns
Certain plants thrive in the shade more than others in shady areas. Of the plants in our nursery, the Ostrich Fern and Walking Fern do great in the shade.
Ferns
These varieties have unique names that represent their properties and appearance!
These plants are an excellent choice for a shade garden. These come in various sizes and forms, and they go well with most shade-loving plants like other shade-loving plants and go well with a variety of others. Although most plants that lived in the Carboniferous period are already extinct, many species evolved into modern-day ferns. They have a number in the thousands and are present in all parts of the world. These plants growing outside are evergreen plants that can adapt to various environments.
Are you new to gardening or having trouble deciding which fern plant to use in your garden? Check out TN Nursery's selection of native ferns.
These plants are low-maintenance; ferns don't require any trimming, unlike some delicate plants. Vascular plants or Fern are seedless. However, they do contain vascular tissue, unlike bryophytes.
The do not produce blooms. Ferns grow in shady woodlands, especially when there is a lot of rotting leaf decomposition.
Best Fern Plants
Here are some of the top fern plants that are worth buying for you:
Bracken Fern
Bracken Fern is a common plant found in open fields, mountains, and wild areas. It can grow a length of 2 to 4 feet. Brackfern can develop either a dark green or a light green color as it grows. This plant grows best in moist soil. A low-maintenance plant, Bracken Fern grows quite quickly.
Christmas Fern
Christmas Fern is an evergreen, perennial plant that blooms in winter. Christmas Fern retains its dark green color in winter compared to other plants. Belongs to the hardy fern family, these are low-maintenance and easy-to-cultivate ferns. Christmas Fern thrives in wet and organically rich soil.
Fiddlehead Fern
Fiddlehead Ferns grow near streams and wooden regions. Bright green by nature, wrapped in brown papery skin that peels off easily if scratched. Fiddlehead Ferns are high in potassium, antioxidants, iron, and Omega 3 fatty acids. The native land of Ostrich Fern is Canada and the northern US.
Hay Scented Fern
A magnificent plant, Hay Scented Fern, grows in 3-8 zones. This lovely lacy plant reaches a height of 2 feet and 4 feet. The hay-scented fern has yellowish-green leaves that look like feathers. During spring, the plant appears greener, and in the autumn, it turns yellowish. Partially shaded areas are preferred for hay-scented ferns.
Lady Fern
Lady Fern is a common temperate rainforest fern plant. It grows five feet tall in ideal conditions and is native to North America. The beautiful, ethereal leaves of the Lady Fern are admired for their low-maintenance qualities. Lady Fern naturalizes and provides years of beauty with very little maintenance when planted in the correct area.
Leatherwood Fern
An attractive native fern, Leatherwood Fern has blue-green fronds with an arching, vase-like shape. Leatherwood Fern has gorgeous dark green semi-evergreen leaves. The ferns grow in direct sunlight but prefer 3 hours of shade per day. It is a perennial plant that requires well-drained soil and nutrient fields.
Maidenhair Fern
A perfect addition to gardens, Maidenhair Fern, is a delicate and exquisite fern that needs indirect light to thrive. It is commonly found near waterfalls and rocks. It grows best in damp soil that is rich in organic materials. A creeping plant, Maidenhair Fern, can sustain temperatures as low as -10°C. Maidenhair Ferns are low-maintenance house plants or garden plants.
Narrow Leaf Glade Fern
The Narrow Leaf Glade is native to the United States and Canada. It's also known as glade fern and narrow-leaved spleenwort. Glade ferns have lovely clusters of slender, long, green leaves. The frond clusters give the plant the appearance of a lovely bouquet plant and thrive in moist, loamy, and well-drained soils.
New York Fern
A perennial plant, New York Fern is a spring-renewing plant. New York Fern is a popular plant for altering gardens. It transforms the entire garden by giving it a new and refreshing look. The fern has a thin leaf that gives it a translucent appearance. New York Fern is widely distributed in the eastern United States and Canada.
Ostrich Fern
Ostrich Fern is named after ostrich plumes because of its form. Ostrich Fern is native to North America. The fronds of this deciduous shrub are dimorphic. Ostrich Ferns thrive in both partial and complete shade. They are not as sensitive to full sun as other ferns but require more moisture to balance their growing needs.
Sensitive Fern
The Sensitive name Fern comes from its vulnerability to cold. The Sensitive fern grows in swamps and moist soils. They are endemic to North America and can be found in various habitats. They can reach 3 feet high from just a few inches. Early spring is when the plants bloom.
Walking Fern
Walking Ferns thrive in humid climates with plenty of light and shade. They have a sleek look and are dark to medium green in color. The walking fern's leaves can grow up to 14 inches long, making them a beautiful plant. Walking Fern is excellent for the environment and adds a natural aspect to your landscape.
