Ferns first appeared on our planet about 416 million years ago which is approximately 270 million years before flowering plants. Ferns are vascular plants that produce through spores, they do not produce flowers or seeds. Today, most of our fern species reside in the tropics, but in the Northeast region where many species of fern thrive, they occupy a wide range of areas and soils from the Appalachians to our Atlantic Coastal Plains in wetlands, rivers, deciduous and coniferous forests. Some grow in water, the crevice of rocks, saturated soils, and alpine areas.
Many of our native ferns from the Northeast region are available in our garden center and grow well in the garden. There’s a fern for almost every condition of the shade garden and while some ferns can tolerate full sun in moist soils, they really are made for the shade. Some have interest in the winter months with fertile fronds that persist through the cold, evergreen foliage, grandiose size, and even edible.
Ostrich Fern (Matteucia struthiopteris) is commonly found in very wet soils but tolerates average garden soils as well where it can form large colonies of graceful, upright foliage anywhere from three to six feet tall and wide. In the early spring when the fronds are just emerging (fiddleheads), they can be harvested, don’t take them all or there won’t be a plant left! This distinctive fern likes to roam and best for gardens where it can do that, otherwise it will crowd out other plants. The Ostrich Fern has separate fertile fronds persisting through the winter as does the Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) and Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis). Sensitive Fern has lobed fronds that provide a coarser texture than other ferns and quite unique in comparison.
For an evergreen fern so rightfully named, the Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) can tolerate dry shade. While not the showiest of ferns, it’s neat, reliable, and easy to grow. Because of its evergreen foliage, it can be a wonderful companion with spring ephemerals. The Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) also tolerates drought once established, but the delicate, lacey foliage needs to be protected from the wind.
There is a large selection of ferns that we carry in the garden center, native and non-native alike. Ferns are a great addition to the shade garden, making great companions for rhododendrons, hellebores, hostas, brunnera, and so on and so on. We can guide you through choosing the best fern and complementary shrubs and perennials for your garden!
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