Sun Ferns

Fiddlehead Fern Onoclea struthioptersis  Fiddlehead Fern: Oncoclea struthioptersis, the fiddlehead fern, is a perennial North American native species that grows best in shaded or semi-shaded, acidic, and moist soil. It thrives in every United States growing zone as long as you can provide shade.  Fiddlehead fern is a deciduous plant that can grow as high as a stately six-foot tall in a relaxed and shaded environment, although most top out around five feet.  The roots form in dense clumps that produce other plants relatively quickly. TN Nursery recommends this species to customers who want a unique addition to a shade garden or rock garden. It is also helpful in preventing erosion when planted along a slope.  Fiddlehead Fern's name describes its appearance  Fiddlehead fern has feathery fronds and a long, stout rhizome. The fronds unfurl to a typical length of four to five feet and display numerous leaflets.  Fertile fronds are pale brown and extend almost to the ground. Additionally, fertile fronds are more prominent and spread further, are a lovely shade of green, and may persist throughout winter in temperate growing zones. The contrasting leaf shape is one of the distinguishing features--the very thing that gives it such a unique name.  The Fiddlehead fern has a small stem with a tapered tip. The lower stems twist and taper to give it a v-shape vein pattern. Most interestingly, the ends of the fronds form tight coils, suggesting the shape of a fiddle.  The color of the fiddlehead fern is verdant green. However, they may grow protective papery skin protection as it grows--this protective layer falls off in time. Some gardeners remove it to brighten the appearance.  Caring for Onoclea struthioptersis  Like most fern species, the fiddlehead fern grows best in shaded spots. If you select the right home for your fern, it will require little care, except an occasional watering on the hottest or driest days. TN Nursery recommends the fiddlehead fern for gardeners who need an easy-to-care-for plant in heavy to filtered shade.  Fiddlehead Fern is available online at TN Nursery  The TN Nursery team is happy to provide their customers with freshly-dug plants. You can order your fiddlehead fern with confidence.

Ostrich Fern Onoclea struthioptersis  Ostrich Fern: Onoclea struthioptersis, which some call an ostrich fern, is a crown-forming plant native to temperate regions of North America. This perennial species grows in damp forests and swampy areas from Canada to the south and western regions.  Ostrich ferns are an attractive plant that can cover bare spots in your garden. They are resistant to common garden problems and are easy to care for. You can enjoy a fresh, vibrant garden with lovely foliage elements with little care. TN Nursery recommends the ostrich fern for bringing lively greenery and exciting textures to a shade or semi-shade garden. Ostrich Fern Gets its Name Ostrich ferns can grow pretty tall. The plants usually reach four to five feet high, but the most towering recorded height of the species is a grand six feet. The plant grows in erect clusters. Each frond has a sturdy, bright green center stem and pairs of leaves with a gently-rounded saw tooth texture. The crowning glory gives the ostrich fern its name. Each fertile frond forms a rosette crown in a lush green hue. The rosette title curves inward to form a tight coil. That bend gives the impression of an ostrich trying to bend down its head to hide. Thus, the rosette coil provides the descriptive household name for Onoclea struthioptersis. Where to Grow Onoclea struthioptersis The fern grows in light soil and prefers constant moisture. This fern tolerates a cool climate and moderate sunlight but prefers semi-shades to full shade. The widespread ostrich fern enjoys excellent popularity in semi-shaded gardens and along the foundations of buildings. Fiddlehead ferns are hardy perennials that can withstand temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Use it in a border garden (near the back due to its height), in a wooded area where grass cannot thrive, or along the shaded foundation of your home. If you have a barren shady section of your landscape, fiddlehead fern will bring it to life. Fiddlehead Fern is available online at TN Nursery TN Nursery provides customers with freshly dug fiddlehead ferns only after receiving each order. You can order confidently, knowing you will receive healthy and fresh ferns.

Cinnamon Fern: Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern: Osmunda cinnomonea, or the cinnamon fern, is a native species to the eastern half of North America. You might find these plants in swamps or bogs if you were hiking through hardwood forests. However, you will most likely find them in shade gardens throughout the United States.   TN Nursery customers love these lush-looking plants. They are effortless to take care of, requiring little water or assistance from the gardener. Furthermore, they resist deer, disease, and other pests, while their shady fronds create a shady oasis for frogs and toads when they need a reprieve from the summer heat.  Cinnamon Fern Earns its Name  Cinnamon fern takes its name from its most distinctive feature--the auburn-colored spikes that develop as the plant matures.   The delicate new fronds will emerge in the early spring and unfurl their tender leaves. The ferns grow taller and broader for several weeks, creating vibrant green leaflets that appear in pairs and have a gently toothy outer edge.   During the summer, the fertile fronds will produce spikes. As they mature, those spikes will grow taller and turn to a rich, deep cinnamon color.  The cinnamon fern grows between three and five feet high and across; they spread quickly.  Where to Plant Osmunda cinnamomea  As a woodland native species, the cinnamon fern prefers a shady or semi-shady spot in your yard. They also prefer more acidic soil, as you might find around pine trees in the forest.   They also love moisture. Cinnamon fern is a typical recommendation when customers call TN Nursery asking what to plant in a slow-draining location that needs a bit of refreshing greenery to brighten it up.  They multiply and can add life to those challenging spots in a relatively short time.   Cinnamon Fern is used by gardeners  Cinnamon fern is a perennial that can help fill in bare spots of the yard with little watering or care. The ferns grow in colonies attached by a dense root system. Because they multiply at a fantastic speed, gardeners find they can separate them from enlivening other areas that need a touch of greenery.  Once they take hold, you will have plenty to add to containers, hanging pots, shade gardens, or for sharing with friends.   Cinnamon Fern is available to purchase at  TN Nursery Are you ready to add Cinnamon Fern to brighten up your shady yard? Order from TN Nursery today.

Bracken Fern Pteridiumaquilinum Bracken Fern: Pteridiumaquilinum, most commonly called bracken fern, is a plant that grows on every continent (except Antarctica) and in almost every USDA growing zone in the United States. Although it can grow almost anywhere, the bracken fern is native to the eastern United States. The Gentle Appearance of Pteridiumaquilinum, Bracken Fern The bracken fern is easily identifiable by its large triangular fronds. It can reach waist-high and grows long, plume-like stems. The fronds are triangular and display leaflets that grow in pairs. Depending on the climate in your zone or area, the fronds generally emerge from March until early May; once the fronds open for the season, they stay green for a long growing season. While they typically grow to a maximum height of four feet, the tallest bracken fern reached approximately seven feet. The leaf color varies from a softer, lighter shade of green to a dark green hue, depending on the soil. The stems are slightly darker than the leafy matter, creating a lovely tonal impact. Bracken Fern Is a Remarkably Robust Plant The common bracken fern grows on any soil, even sandy or rocky, and can survive for years. It is a perennial that reemerges each year with astonishing consistency--even after forest fires, floods, or other disasters. As the fern grows, it forms a dense, deep root network, which helps it reproduce throughout the remainder of the season. The deep roots make it resistant to high winds or heavy downpours. Also, the deeply rooted bracken fern helps to eliminate soil compaction, as the roots dig deep below the surface, not just in short side-to-side clumps like some other fern species. How to Use Bracken Fern in Your Landscape Bracken fern is a highly prized plant for the most rugged terrain. ● You can replace the grass on a sloped or steep hill--it will eventually fill in and eliminate the need for mowing. ● Put bracken fern in areas where you'd like to prevent wind erosion of your soil. It spreads faster than some ferns and provides plant coverage within a season. ● Put bracken ferns in your shade garden or water garden. ● Grow bracken ferns in densely wooded areas to add some greenery. Bracken fern will grow in almost any shaded or partially shaded location you can think of. Bracken Fern is available online at TN Nursery Are you ready to order your Pteridiumaquilinum? We are here to dig and ship your order. Bracken Fern is for sale online at Tn Nursery

Glade Fern Homalosorus pycnocarpos  Glade Fern: Gardeners across the United States cherish Homalosorus pycnocarpos, or the glade fern, for its attractive, narrow, and lush green fronds.   This species is a native plant from North America, originating in the United States and Canada. You might also recognize it by two other nicknames:  ● Narrow-leaf spleenwort  ● Narrow-leaved spleenwort ● Narrow-leaved glade fern  As the name states, this species originated in forest glades, clearings in the forest that typically receive little or filtered sunlight. This common name correctly implies that you should plant this fern in a shaded or partially-shaded part of your yard.   Glade Fern has an elegant appearance   A mature glade fern shows off long, elegant fronds, which grow wider than tall. The height generally stays between one to two feet and extends out as much as three feet wide. This compact, petite appearance makes the glade fern perfect for a ground cover plant.   The plants grow in clusters of five to six plants per grouping in moist, well-drained soil. If they become overly dry, the margins of the leaves will turn brown--signaling to you that it's time to give them some water.   Homalosorus pycnocarpos stems are a golden-brown color, which provides a lovely contrast against the shiny, bright green fronds. The plant grows narrow fronds that seem to do a carefree dance with every breeze.   The leaflets of the fronds are also slender. They have a slight blade shape with a gentle curve, giving a feathery appearance.   Where to Grow Glade Fern in Your Yard  Glade fern strongly prefers a fully shaded spot--and it is most carefree if you put it in the shade. However, you can also keep it healthy in filtered sunshine or semi-shade garden with careful attention to soil moisture and water when needed.   If you don't want to put glade fern directly into the ground, you can put it in large, wide planters in a shady location. It instantly breathes life into the darkest, and often most barren, spots in your yard.  Glade Fern is available online at TN Nursery  Are you ready to beautify your shade garden with glade ferns? Order from TN Nursery today.