Ferns

Uses:

  • Shade Gardens
  • Woodland Areas
  • Mass Planting

Features:

  • Foliage Interest
  • Low Maintenance
  • Some Native to North America

Sunlight:

  • Full Shade to Partial Shade
  • North Side of Homes
  • Under 4 Hours of Direct Sunlight

Growing Zones:

Fern Care

Ferns are plants that are commonly grown in heavily shaded areas in combinations with other plants like hosta and coral bells. Plant these in the north side of homes or under trees to provide foliage interest most of the growing season. Ferns also make great houseplants!

Why Buy Ferns Online?

Ferns (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta) are in a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem). The plants do not reproduce with seeds or flowers, they reproduce with spores. Commonly found in the tropics, ferns are found throughout the world in moist, forested and shaded areas. Ferns can grow in zones 3 to 10 depending on the variety.

The Best Way To Use Ferns

Most gardeners grow ferns underneath trees and on the north side of their houses in shaded areas. Most ferns cannot tolerate direct sunlight, especially during intense afternoon hours. As long as the area remains moist, there is not a whole lot of care involved for ferns. 

  • Great for shaded areas

  • Cannot tolerate direct sunlight

  • Typically 2 to 3 feet tall

  • Growing zones 3 to 10

Fern Companion Plants

Plant ferns with other shade loving perennials, annuals and shrubs that enjoy moist soil. Some of our favorite plants to grow with ferns are hostas, coral bells, astilbe, azaleas, hellebore, coleus or impatiens.

Hostas

Heuchera

Astilbe

Azaleas