Types of ferns we grow
Every fern here is a hardy native perennial. Plant it in the right light and zone and it comes back every spring, a little bigger each year. Evergreen ferns keep their green fronds through winter. The rest turn brown in fall and grow back from the roots.
Ferns for shade
- Christmas Fern : evergreen, 1 to 2 feet, zones 3 to 9, part to full shade. Handles dry shade under trees, and deer leave it alone.
- Lady Fern : dies back in winter, 2 to 3 feet, zones 3 to 8, part to full shade, moist soil. Soft, lacy fronds.
- Maidenhair Fern : dies back in winter, 1 to 2 feet, zones 3 to 8, part to full shade, rich moist soil. Fan-shaped leaves on black stems.
- Walking Fern : evergreen, 4 to 12 inches, zones 4 to 8, full shade. Grows on mossy rocks and logs; its leaf tips root and "walk" across the ground.
- New York Fern : dies back in winter, 1 to 2 feet, zones 3 to 8, part shade. Spreads into a soft ground cover.
Ferns for wet spots
- Giant Ostrich Fern : dies back in winter, 3 to 5 feet, zones 3 to 7, part to full shade, moist to wet soil. Our tallest fern; spreads to fill an area.
- Fiddlehead Fern : the same plant as the ostrich fern, known for its tightly coiled spring shoots.
- Cinnamon Fern : dies back in winter, 2 to 4 feet, zones 3 to 9, part shade, wet soil. Sends up cinnamon-brown spore stalks in spring.
- Sensitive Fern : dies back in winter, 1 to 3 feet, zones 3 to 9. Takes shade, or sun if the soil stays wet. Named for browning at the first frost.
Ferns that take some sun
- Hay Scented Fern : dies back in winter, 1.5 to 2 feet, zones 3 to 8, sun to part shade. Smells like fresh hay when brushed; spreads quickly and holds slopes.
- Bracken Fern : dies back in winter, 2 to 4 feet, sun to part shade, dry or poor soil. Very vigorous, best for large natural areas.
Fern bundles
15 Hardy Ferns , Hardy Fern Trio and the 25-Fern Naturalizing Bundle : mixed ferns we pick to suit your zone. Ferns are ancient, flowerless plants that grow from spores instead of seeds. They are some of the easiest perennials for shady spots where grass and flowers struggle. Every fern we sell is a hardy, native outdoor fern grown at our Tennessee nursery since 1959 and shipped bare root. Choose by light, zone and height, from 6-inch walking ferns for mossy rocks to 5-foot ostrich ferns for wet ground.
Types of ferns we grow
Every fern here is a hardy native perennial. Plant it in the right light and zone and it comes back every spring, a little bigger each year. Evergreen ferns stay green through winter; the rest turn brown in fall and grow back from the roots.
| Fern | Height | Zones | Light | Soil | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Fern | 1–2 ft | 3–9 | Part to full shade | Average to dry | Evergreen |
| Walking Fern | 4–12 in | 4–8 | Full shade | Mossy rock or log | Evergreen |
| Lady Fern | 2–3 ft | 3–8 | Part to full shade | Moist | Dies back |
| Maidenhair Fern | 1–2 ft | 3–8 | Part to full shade | Rich, moist | Dies back |
| New York Fern | 1–2 ft | 3–8 | Part shade | Average to moist | Dies back |
| Ostrich Fern / Fiddlehead | 3–5 ft | 3–7 | Part to full shade | Moist to wet | Dies back |
| Cinnamon Fern | 2–4 ft | 3–9 | Part shade | Wet | Dies back |
| Sensitive Fern | 1–3 ft | 3–9 | Shade, or sun in wet soil | Moist to wet | Dies back |
| Hay Scented Fern | 1.5–2 ft | 3–8 | Sun to part shade | Average to dry | Dies back |
| Bracken Fern | 2–4 ft | 3–10 | Sun to part shade | Dry or poor | Dies back |
Outdoor ferns vs. indoor ferns
The ferns we grow are hardy outdoor ferns. They go dormant in winter and come back on their own each spring, so you plant them once and they spread over the years. Indoor ferns, such as Boston and Kimberly Queen, are tropical. They can't survive a freeze and must be brought inside before the first frost in most of the country. If you want ferns for a shade garden, a woodland edge, a slope or a wet spot, choose an outdoor fern from the chart above. Several of our ferns, including Christmas, maidenhair and walking fern, also do well in patio containers and terrariums.
When to plant ferns
Bare-root ferns are shipped dormant, which is the best time to plant them. Fall planting works well: get them in the ground at least four to six weeks before the soil freezes so the roots can settle. Early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, is the other ideal window. Set the crown at soil level with the roots spread out just below the surface, cover lightly, and water deeply. Don't worry if you see no green right away. Dormant ferns send up new fronds once the soil warms in spring.
Fern questions
Do ferns prefer sun or shade?
Most ferns prefer part to full shade, because they evolved on woodland floors under a tree canopy. A few take sun. Hay scented and bracken ferns handle sun to part shade. Sensitive fern grows in full sun if the soil stays wet. In cooler zones, ostrich fern tolerates some morning sun when its roots stay moist. Hot afternoon sun scorches most ferns, so dappled light is the safest choice.
How often should you water ferns?
Water deeply right after planting, then keep the soil evenly moist through the first growing season, which usually means about an inch of water a week if it doesn't rain. Once established, most native ferns only need water during dry spells that last a week or two. Ferns for wet spots, such as ostrich, cinnamon and sensitive fern, do best where the soil stays moist all season. A layer of shredded leaves or mulch helps hold moisture in.
Why are my fern leaves turning brown?
In fall, browning is normal. Most outdoor ferns die back to the roots for winter and send up new fronds in spring. If fronds brown in summer, the usual cause is too much sun or soil that dried out. Water deeply, add mulch, and consider moving the fern to a shadier spot in fall or early spring. Trim off dead fronds to keep the plant tidy.
What are ferns useful for?
Ferns fill the shady places where most flowering plants struggle: under trees, on the north side of a house and along streams. Their roots hold soil on slopes and banks, deer usually leave them alone, and once settled they need no fertilizer and little care.
Do ferns grow back each year?
Yes. Hardy outdoor ferns are perennials. Evergreen types such as Christmas fern and walking fern stay green all winter. The others turn brown in fall and send up new fronds from the roots each spring, usually a little fuller every year.
What are the main types of ferns?
Ten of the most common garden ferns are Christmas, ostrich, lady, maidenhair, cinnamon, sensitive, hay scented, New York, bracken and walking fern. We grow all ten. See the comparison chart above for height, zone, light and soil.
Are ferns deer resistant?
Ferns are among the most deer-resistant plants you can grow, and deer usually pass them by. Christmas fern and hay scented fern have the strongest reputation. Hungry deer will browse almost anything in a hard winter, so very young plants may need protection the first year.
Are ferns poisonous to pets?
The ASPCA lists Boston, holly and sword ferns as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Asparagus fern is not a true fern and is toxic to pets. Bracken fern can poison horses and cattle that graze on it, so keep it away from pastures. If a pet chews any plant, call your vet.
