Hardy Ferns - are among the most adaptable of plants for home gardeners. They are ideal for ground cover or border plantings in the landscape. Ferns are an ancient type of vegetation which occupied the world long before the evolution of seed producing plants. They are strictly foliage plants, since they reproduce without flowering. Ferns produce long fronds which are similar to the leaves of seed producing plants. Fronds arise directly from the ground with no central stem. The small brown spots on the underside of the leaves contain spores which serve the same purpose as seeds in reproducing the plant.
Ferns start growth very early in the spring, and retain their delicate leafy foliage until several light frosts freeze them back in the fall. They are quite free from disease or insect pests, and thus are easy to grow in the native gardens or border plantings around the home. Average garden soil may be made suitable for ferns by adding liberal quantities of peat moss or compost. An abundant supply of water is also needed throughout the season to promote vigorous growth. The best time to transplant ferns is in the spring about a month before the average last frost date, or in the fall a couple weeks after the average first frost date.
|
|
| Adiantum pedatum-Five-Finger/Northern Maidenhair
As delicate and dainty as can be, this Maidenhair Fern is easy to grow with its fan-shaped, sworling pinnules to a height of 18 inches. The light green leaves have shiny dark stems, prefer rich, moist soil in light to full shade. Do not let this deciduous native dry out. Try it with Columbines, Old-Fashioned Bleeding Hearts, a masculine Rodgersia, and the leathery Bergenia for interesting textures in the woodland garden.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 2 – 8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Arachniodes s Variegata-East Indian Holly Fern (6/5/08 approx 500-550)
Broadly triangular fronds can be 12-24" long and 12" wide on this tropical, semi-evergreen fern. What prompts us to finally include it in our catalog is the shiny rich green frond with a mid-rib of pale gray-green (almost yellow). This striking fern has a place in our local shade gardens provided the moist, rich, well-drained soil it prefers. Be aware of its potential tenderness depending on its location in the landscape.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 7–10, part shade to full shade
|
|
|
Athyrium n.Pictum- Japanese Painted Fern (6/5/08 approx 2,500 qt and # 1)
Often considered the most decorative of ferns, this deciduous 18" Oriental beauty blends gray-green fronds with wine-red stems. It is slow-spreading and thrives in shade or partial shade where soil is moist but well-drained. Its tri-color fronds emerge early in the spring making it a perfect companion for early bulbs. Try it with Astilbe c. ‘Pumila’ and Hosta s. ‘Elegans’ for a long season of texture contrasts. A very hardy fern.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 3–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Athyrium filix-femina - Lady Fern (6/5/08 approx. 500-600)
A lacy, upright habit characterizes this most common and variable native fern which reaches 18–24". It is a lovely lime green with reddish stems, and is as delicate-looking as is possible. It can handle quite a bit of sun or shade in soil that is neither too dry or too wet.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 4–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Athyrium filix-femina - Lady in Red (6/5/08 approx 500-600)
Deciduous like the specie above, ‘Lady in Red’ is also as tough and easy to grow for woodlands or the shady perennial garden. Vibrant burgundy color runs through the stems, contrasting not only with the 30-36" lime green fronds, but with other shade lovers such as purple-leaved Heucheras, blue or variegated Carex, any number of Hostas, and Polygonatum ‘Variegatum’.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 4–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Cyrtomium f. Rochfordianum - Japanese Holly Fern
Glossy, dark green leaves closely resemble Holly leaves and are so striking that we decided to include this evergreen fern which requires moderate wintertime temperatures to thrive. Fronds can be 24–30" in length. The leaf margins are coarsely fringed, grow thickly and quickly, and are definitely eye-catching. See color photo on back cover of catalog.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 7–9, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Dennstaedtia punctilobata - Hayscented Fern
A rapidly growing lime green deciduous native fern with a lacy texture, it spreads from rhizomes and is useful as a ground cover for part sun or shade. It grows to 3' and its fronds smell like fresh-cut hay if crushed or bruised.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 5–8, part sun to full shade
|
|
| Dryopteris celsa - Log Fern (6/5/08 approx 400-450)
Semi-evergreen, fast-growing, and a tough native wood fern, its upright stems reach 36-48". Hardly surprising it’s a Dryopteris!
Plant 18" apart, Zone 5–9, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Dryopteris atrata - Shaggy Shield Fern
A lovely rich green, compact grower, Shaggy Shield reaches only 24" in height and is semi-evergreen. Like the Christmas Fern, its fronds are thought to resemble those of the Boston Fern.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 7–9, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Dryopteris erythrosora - Autumn Fern
So named due to its copper color when young, our native evergreen Autumn Fern matures to a lovely dark green. The 24" upright fronds take on an autumn color again in the fall. They thrive in open or dappled shade. All ferns grow best in soils with a high organic matter content.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 5–9, part shade to full shade
|
|
Dryopteris intermedia (6/5/08 approx 500-600)
Fancy Fern
This is an Eastern American native evergreen fern that was once used as cut foliage by florists. Grows 18-36" tall in semi shade with acidic to neutral soil. It is a strong grower and makes a beautiful specimen or is nice planted in mass.
Plant 18" apart. Zone 3 - 8
|
|
| Dryopteris x australis - Dixie Wood Fern
This cross between the Log Fern and the Southern Wood Fern is rich in color and is semi-evergreen with large, erect, tall fronds at 4-5' when fully grown. This is a particularly big, strong fern for the woodland garden, or for naturalizing, and is found throughout the southeastern U.S.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 5–9, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Dryopteris marginalis - Evergreen Wood Fern (6/5/08 approx. 500-600)
Also commonly called the Leatherwood Fern or Marginal Shield Fern, this native clump-grower has dark green, upright fronds between 2 and 3' in length, and handles shade or part shade.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 4–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Dryopteris undulata robusta - Male Robust Fern (6/5/08 approx. 400-450)
With its strong, sturdy, wide fronds reaching 24–36", this semi-evergreen fern combines well with a range of flowering perennials, annuals, and bulbs, as well as the Hostas with which it is most often paired. The Male Robust Fern will also offer support to sometimes pendulous Anemones and Spiderwort. Give it a try with the gray leaves of Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’ or with Siberian Iris.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 2–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Dryopteris pseudo filix-mas - Mexican Male Fern
As hard as it’s been to keep large evergreen ferns in stock in our nursery, we decided to arm ourselves with more. Try this evergreen 4' beauty. It will remind you of the Christmas Fern, but bigger and stockier. It will thrive in rich, moist well-drained shady soil.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 5–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Matteuccia pensylvanica - Ostrich Fern (6/5/08 approx 1500 but small)
Stately, upright 3–4' fronds resembling ostrich feathers grow by underground runners, die back in winter and reappear vigorously the next spring. The native Ostrich Fern tolerates wet soil conditions so give it room in moist, rich soil and it will provide erosion control as well as a dramatic effect. While it prefers open shade, it will tolerate sun in swampy areas.
Plant 18 in. apart, Zone 4–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Osmunda regalis - Royal Fern (6/5/08 approx 1800-2200)
This slow-spreading native fern can be grown in wet soil in sun to partial shade. Its lance-shaped, dark green fronds grow tall and erect between 3' and 4'. The Royal Fern will do well in wet areas.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 4–6, part sun to part shade
|
|
| Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas Fern (6/5/08 approx 400-700)
Similar in looks to the familiar Boston Fern, this dark green, evergreen, native fern can tolerate rocky soil common to our forests. It thrives in shade, but will tolerate some sun if it stays moist. Its 2' fronds are sometimes used in Christmas decorations.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 5–9, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern (6/5/08 1200-1600 OK but a little small)
The native Cinnamon Fern, at 3–4', makes an excellent backdrop in a woodland garden where it likes an acid soil with constant moisture, and can even handle wet, swampy land. Its name derives from the erect brown fronds that appear in the spring. Pale green initially, foliage darkens during the summer, turning a rich brown by autumn. It can handle some direct sun if the soil is kept moist.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 5–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Polystichum tsus-simense - Korean Rock Fern (6/5/08 approx. 400-500)
Considering that ferns have outlived the dinosaurs, it’s not surprising that this adaptation is evident in this neat, compact evergreen fern. It is of modest size at 12" and appreciates protection from winter winds. Gorgeous with the blue-green leaves of Hosta s. ‘Frances Williams’.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 4–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
| Polystichum polyblepharum - Tassel Fern
Striking beauty and reliable hardiness are the complementary qualities of this 18–24" evergreen fern. Its dark green, shiny fronds form a rounded rosette shape. Showy and easy to grow, it prefers full to partial shade.
Plant 18" apart, Zone 5–8, part shade to full shade
|
|
|
Thelypetris decursive pinnata- Japanese Beech Fern (6/5/08 approx 300-400)
Stiffly erect, lime green fronds characterize this non-evergreen fern, with its elegantly drooping tips. A tough fern of moderate height at 2'.
Plant 18 in apart, Zone 4–10, part shade to full shade
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)