Narrow Selection
Ferns for Zone 4 include the Bracken, Boston, and Autumn Ferns
Bracken Fern
The Bracken Fern is located throughout the entire United States. They are usually found in brushy areas, fields, and the woods. They reach just over 3 ft. in height. The Bracken Fern can grow in both wet and dry soil types. Instead of typical leaves, this plant will have fronds. In the winter season the Bracken Ferns fronds will die, but by the springtime, they will be growing again. They increase the best in zones 3-10 and thrive in areas of bright sunshine to full sun exposure. The scientific name for the Bracken Fern is Pteridium aquilinum.
Ferns for Zone 4 known for one of the most popular plants is the Boston Fern
Boston Fern
The Boston Fern is one of the most popular houseplants in America. It can be grown indoors or outdoors in the warm months of spring and summer. This plant grows best in temperatures around 65 to 75 degrees and needs plenty of indirect sunlight. This plant also requires moderate to heavy watering and thrives best in humid conditions. If relative humidity falls below 80%, this plant needs to be misted. The Boston Fern can reach up to 5 feet tall and need to re-pot every few years. This fern grows best in the USDA plant hardiness zones 9-11.
Ferns for Zone 4 has many evergreen ferns
Autumn Fern
It is an arching, evergreen fern and is a hardy survivor. It grows in a vase-shaped clump up to 2 feet in height. The new fronds are shades of red-orange to copper-pink and will turn to glossy, deep green by summer. It is tolerant of dense shade and rabbits as well as drought conditions. It is native to woodland hills and mountain slopes in Japan, Taiwan, and China. There are no dangerous insect or disease issues. Do not allow the soil to dry out and keep the shelter location from strong winds to protect the fronds. It is a no-maintenance plant and will spread its fronds slowly over time. Plant density is moderate, and the growth rate is slow. Its slow growth makes the plant more expensive. The leaves will emerge from the soil, usually without a stem and the leaf shape is oblong.
Ferns For Zone 4
Maidenhair Fern
The maidenhair fern remains a favorite indoor and outdoor plant for those who love to garden. They have a reputation for being temperamental to grow indoors, however. Here are some necessary information and tips for successfully growing the lacy plant.
Successful Growing Conditions for the Maidenhair Fern
The maidenhair fern is considered to be one of the hardiest of the plants in the Fern family.
Humidity Levels
High humidity is crucial for successfully growing this ornamental fern. It is easy to add moisture to the air around your fern if you use a humidifier in your home. If you don’t want to use a humidifier, you can keep the plant hydrated by placing it atop a bowl with a container of pebbles. Don’t give up on growing this lovely plant, however, if you live in an arid part of the country. Just move the maidenhair indoors and add more moisture to the air around your plant.
Light Requirements
The delightful maidenhair fern does not like an area where there is lots of bright light. Plant your fern in a shady part of your yard. If you grow your fern indoors, put it behind a sheer curtain is a south-facing window, or keep it in a northeast-facing a window. These beautiful ferns will burn if they are placed indirect lighting.
Temperature Requirements
Any temperature over 70 degrees F will work fine for your fern. Don’t let the temperature around your fern get below 60 degrees F. Also, don’t expose the plant to drafts.
Soil and Feeding Requirement
Loose composted soil remains the preferred choice for the maidenhair fern. This type of fern replicates the natural environment of the forest floor, where the fern grows in the wild. Maidenhair ferns thrive when fed a weak solution of fertilizer every other week.
Use your maidenhair fern to soften areas of your gardening outside, or to add delicate grace to your home.
Maidenhair Fern
The maidenhair fern remains a favorite indoor and outdoor plant for those who love to garden. They have a reputation for being temperamental to grow indoors, however. Here are some necessary information and tips for successfully growing the lacy plant.
Successful Growing Conditions for the Maidenhair Fern
The maidenhair fern is considered to be one of the hardiest of the plants in the Fern family.
Humidity Levels
High humidity is crucial for successfully growing this ornamental fern. It is easy to add moisture to the air around your fern if you use a humidifier in your home. If you don’t want to use a humidifier, you can keep the plant hydrated by placing it atop a bowl with a container of pebbles. Don’t give up on growing this lovely plant, however, if you live in an arid part of the country. Just move the maidenhair indoors and add more moisture to the air around your plant.
Light Requirements
The delightful maidenhair fern does not like an area where there is lots of bright light. Plant your fern in a shady part of your yard. If you grow your fern indoors, put it behind a sheer curtain is a south-facing window, or keep it in a northeast-facing a window. These beautiful ferns will burn if they are placed indirect lighting.
Temperature Requirements
Any temperature over 70 degrees F will work fine for your fern. Don’t let the temperature around your fern get below 60 degrees F. Also, don’t expose the plant to drafts.
Soil and Feeding Requirement
Loose composted soil remains the preferred choice for the maidenhair fern. This type of fern replicates the natural environment of the forest floor, where the fern grows in the wild. Maidenhair ferns thrive when fed a weak solution of fertilizer every other week.
Use your maidenhair fern to soften areas of your gardening outside, or to add delicate grace to your home.
Fiddlehead Ferns
Anyone who's ever tried fiddlehead ferns can attest that they might be one of spring's best creations. Despite what some might think, fiddlehead ferns are not a specific species of fern. Instead, they're the young offspring of several species, including the Ostrich, Western Sword, and Bracken ferns. The good news, for many people who live in shady or semi-shaded areas, is that these species of fern prefer to live in the dark, damp, swampy areas where most plants wouldn't usually survive. If you live in a place with such conditions, it means you can now have a tasty and beautiful garden in the least expected areas.
Fiddlehead ferns derive their name from their appearance, which resembles the eloquent curled end of a violin. Fiddlehead ferns are also called "crozier" after their similar appearance to a bishop's curved staff. Fiddlehead ferns are plucked early in the season when they're still curled and before the parent plant reaches its full height. In the United States, fiddleheads are harvested and used for cooking in recreational and commercial kitchens. Fiddleheads are prized for their rich flavor and nutritional content, including high levels of essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. They're also high in fiber and iron. Fiddlehead ferns have been harvested by North Americans for centuries to add to meals. Recently they've also appeared as a gourmet delicacy on high-end restaurant menus. Ideally, fiddlehead ferns are jade-green. They should not have started to uncoil before being picked, and they should not be brown. They should also be smooth and free of fuzz, which can irritate the throat and create a choking hazard.
People who enjoy fiddlehead ferns will be glad to know that growing ferns is quite easy. Ferns do best in plant hardiness zones 3 through 7, as established by the USDA. Ferns will grow to mature height of 3-6 feet. They'll have a ground cover of about the same width. Along with being a beautiful and elegant addition to any shaded garden, they're also a quick and easy source of delicious natural food.