Ferns for Shade Gardens: Low-Maintenance Decorative Plants
Ferns provide welcome color and texture in shady areas, particularly when paired with flowers that do well in the shade. They are also a great option if you have a lot of deer living in your area since ferns are usually not a priority for deer. The hardiness of ferns varies depending on species, but in general, they are rugged and beautiful accessories to almost every shade garden.
Suppose you are using ferns to display your plants or plants for background. In that case, this article will provide you with the essential guidelines for growing ferns and recommendations on the best varieties that require minimal maintenance to grow.
How to Grow Ferns in Your Garden
The best place to plant ferns is in full shade and rich and well-drained soil. In every climate, they require shade from the afternoon sun to avoid drying and scorching leaves. Depending on the type and growing conditions, ferns can reach heights up to 6 feet. They prefer rich, humus-rich soil.
Be sure to incorporate compost into your planting holes and then cover them with 2 inches of mulch made from organic material. As with other perennial plants, Ferns divide into the spring and fall. Make sure to keep your new sections well-watered till they get established.
Underground runners spread certain ferns. It can be helpful in areas in which you need a place for a groundcover but are not welcome in a formal and orderly plant. Study the features of each fern before the plant.
Best Low-Maintenance Ferns
Hay Scented Fern
Hay Scented Fern, known as the Western Sword Fern, is one of the most popular landscaping plants native to North America. The fern's name derives from its distinct scent, similar to freshly cut Hay.
Here are a few ways in which Hay Scent Fern utilizes for landscaping:
Hay Scent fern is a fantastic choice for ground cover since it spreads quickly and covers vast areas. It's especially effective in shade areas where other groundcovers might struggle.
The fern uses for creating borders around gardens or along paths. The fronds of the fern can be as long as 4 feet, which makes it an ideal option for taller borders.
The Hay Scent's ability to quickly spread and withstand dry conditions makes it an excellent option for rock gardens.
Hay Scent Fern is an elegant and beautiful plant used for landscaping in various ways. It's low-maintenance and an excellent option for busy homeowners.
Dennstaedtia Punctilobula, a fern with a scent of Hay, is an excellent perennial ground cover that creates an emotional impact thanks to its rich green color and stunning texture. It's the perfect size plant for U.S.D.A. zones 3 to 8. It likes a mixture of shade and sun but can also tolerate full shade.
The name of this fern comes due to its distinctive hay-like fragrance that is evident when it is dry and crushed. The frosts are bright and make a triangular shape with a hair-like texture, which is comfortable to sensation. It's relatively short, generally just under 2' long, but it can grow to as large as 4' to cover much of the ground faster than you imagine.
Lady Fern
An upright plant, The Lady Fern describes as a perennial indigenous in The United States and Alaska. The graceful fern can grow to two to five feet high. It has vibrant green leaves with delicate lacy textures. These fronds could grow up to three feet in a humid environment.
The Lady Fern can grow between three to seven feet in diameter. But, this plant can still keep an extremely close view. This tough plant is the perfect option for any garden in which you're seeking a green foliage background. It also works well for a soil cover for a variety of uses.
Numerous names use to refer to this fern with low maintenance. They include Athyrium Filix-Femina, Subarctic Lady fern, Asplenium Lady fern, Tatting Fern, and Common Lady fern. It's part of the wood fern genus and can withstand dense shading and even rabbits. The non-flowering plant has between 20-30 pairs of elliptic leaflets that are not opposite.
Each booklet is narrow at the tip and further separates into sub leaflets. On the bottom of these leaflets are clusters of spore-producing receptacles called sori. They are horseshoe-shaped. They cover by an opaque protective membrane called indusia during the growth of the fern till the plant becomes mature enough to reproduce.
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum Pedatum is one of the tough perennials that makes a striking appearance in the shade. It enjoys sun-filtered light for approximately six hours a day. It's best at adapting to U.S.D.A. hardiness zones for plants 3-8. Maidenhair fern is a unique species that is native across two continents, North America in the United States and Canada, and Asia located in the Himalayan region.
This elegant fern's low-maintenance and easy-growing requirements are why it is sought-after for the shade garden, shaded border garden beds, and even on the slopes of ponds that shade. They're also ideal for planting on slopes with less sunlight, as they're easier to cultivate than grass.
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia Struthiopteris is a vast and beautiful perennial fern with elegant, plume-like fronds, sure to attract a lot of admiration. They are ideally suited to a moist and part-shade location in U.S.D.A. zones 3-7. Ostrich Ferns are a gorgeous ornamental plant that creates a strong and stylish accent in any.
It's ideal near the garden's back border or in natural areas near water features, an acquisition, or any partially shaded space you discover. The process of planting and maintaining an ostrich fern can be simple. The primary requirement is to place the plant in an area that is a semi-shaded location to get diffused light, not sunlight. It can adjust to the sunrise sun but cannot take on the afternoon sun.
It is attracted by fertile, moist soil with rapid and efficient drainage. It prefers a humid environment but is not a fan of wet roots for long periods.
Sensitive Fern
Onoclea Sensibilis is a medium-sized beautiful, well-formed, lovely perennial fern with appealing characteristics. It is among the only ferns that can withstand deer, making it a desirable choice for areas with close herds. It thrives in U.S.D.A. zones for plant growth 3 to 9.
Sensitive Fern is native to North America and Europe. It likes moist soil and is tolerant of the full sun or shade. It is among the only ferns not to die in full sunshine. It still prefers filtering sunlight. It is known as the Sensitive Fern is well-known for its ability to thrive in wetlands as well as swampy environments, which makes it the ideal plant for low-lying areas or those that are poorly drained.
The fern looks excellent for a plant that is used as a decorative one for gardens. It is also renowned for its toughness and ability to adapt to different growth conditions. It only requires a little care other than ensuring the soil has enough moisture.
