Ferns
Ferns are lush, exotic and graceful perennials that are easy to grow and require no care. They are available in various colours, shapes and sizes making it a good companion plant in a shade garden or growing on their own in a mass planting.
A
Orange-to-red-copper-pink young fronds unfurl in spring and turn to shiny deep green in the warmer months. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
1.5-2.5 ft tall x 1.5-2.5 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts butterflies
Wet soil tolerant
Orange-to-red-copper-pink young fronds unfurl in spring and turn to shiny deep green in the warmer months. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
1-2 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts butterflies
Wet soil tolerant
C
This evergreen fern features a fountain of leathery, lance-shaped bright green fronds that add winter interest. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to winter
1-2 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant
Green spore-bearing fronds appear in spring, quickly turning brown. Fiddleheads pop up at the base of the plant and unfurl into sterile, chartreuse fronds. Moderate growth rate.
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Attracts bees and butterflies
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
This evergreen fern features distinctive tongue-like bright green fronds with a crest at the end. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to winter
1-1.5 ft tall x 1-1.5 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Intense silver-green arching fronds with dark maroon veining turn a rich green in the summer. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
2 ft tall x 2-2.5 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Foliage is narrow and mid-green, with the tips of the fronds ending in a forked point, and arranged in a criss-cross pattern. Shorter sport of ‘Victoriae’. Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested; handling plant may cause skin irritation/allergy.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1.5-2 ft tall x 1.5 ft wide
Attracts butterflies
Deer and rabbit tolerant
D
Evergreen sterile fronds form a loose spreading rosette, while fertile fronds grow from the centre of the plant to stand erect, turning brown as the season progresses.
1-1.5 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
HARDY to -20°F (-29°C)
Rabbit resistant
Green broadleaf fronds grow best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Use as a vertical accent in a woodland or shade garden. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
3-5 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
G
Silvery light green fronds show their best colour in the shade. Too much sunlight will cause the colour to fade. Once the weather cools the foliage turns an attractive burgundy hue. Moderate growth rate
Blooms mid spring to summer
2-3 ft tall x 1-1.5 ft wide
HARDY to -30°F (-34.4°C)
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
Large arching silvery fronds sport green highlights and purple stems. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
3 ft tall x 4-6 ft wide
HARDY to -30°F (-34.4°C)
Attracts butterflies
Deer and rabbit resistant
H
This evergreen fern features distinctive strap-like bright green fronds, of which the undersides become marked with conspicuous brown sori, containing the plants spores. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to winter
1-1.5 ft tall x 1-1.5 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Hairy oval-oblong fronds with yellow-green foliage are thin textured. The fronds turn coppery orange in fall. Fast growth and spread rate.
1-2 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
Fragrant
Rabbit tolerant
Salmon-flushed fronds emerge in late winter/early spring and mature to a fresh spring-green. Wiry black stems support the broadly triangular fronds that are made up of many small fan-shaped segments.
Blooms in late winter to early spring
6-8 in tall x 1-3 ft spread
HARDY to -20°F (-28.9°C)
Deer tolerant
J
Narrow, light green, upright fronds that are tapered at the ends. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1-2 ft tall x 1-1.5 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Dull green fronds resembling holly branches, hence it’s common name , are adorned with stiff upright leaves. Moderate growth rate. Acidic.
1-2 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts butterflies
Intense silver-green arching fronds with dark maroon veining turn a rich green in the summer. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
2 ft tall x 2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
This is known to be one of the more hardy selection of ferns. Silvery green fronds bear burgundy veins and stems. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1-2 ft tall x 1-1.5 ft wide
Groundcover
Deer and rabbit resistant
Silver green fronds with burgundy highlights and red stems form small mounds that are excellent for borders. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1-1.5 ft tall x 1.5-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Lacy arching fronds emerge in rich burgundy and gradually mature to grey green, with their Merlot-hued ribs remaining. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1-1.5 ft tall x 1-1.5 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Silver and green-almost metallic- fronds form an attractive arch with their variegated maroon stems. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1.5 ft tall x 2 ft wide
Groundcover
Deer and rabbit resistant
L
Semi-evergreen finely divided leaves grow on delicate fronds with rusty-brown scales, giving a lacy appearance. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
1-2 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts butterflies
Wet soil tolerant
Bright green lacy fronds on red stems. Moderate growth rate.
2-3 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
Groundcover
Attracts butterflies
Deer and rabbit resistant
Dark green feather like foliage grows in thick circular clumps.
Blooms mid spring to summer
1.5-2 ft tall x 2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Light green lacy fronds grow , moderate growth rate,
Blooms mid spring to summer
2-3 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
HARDY to -30°F (-34.4°C)
Attracts butterflies
Deer and rabbit resistant
Groundcover
M
Bright green fronds with curved stalks on thin, wiry black stems. Pink or burgundy red coiled young fiddleheads appear in early spring. Moderate growth rate
Blooms early spring
1-2 ft tall x 2 ft wide
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Groundcover
Sturdy medium green fronds grow lush on this male fern. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
Sturdy, upright, medium green fronds with a slightly ruffled appearance grow lush on this male fern. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
2.5-3 ft tall x 1.5-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
Dark green, narrow leathery leafed fronds grow lush on this male fern. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
3-4 ft tall x 3-4 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
Grey-green fronds with a leathery, deeply cut appearance grow lush on this woodland fern. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
2.5-3 ft tall x 1.5-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
N
Lime-green, lacy, outward-growing fronds that are finely toothed and disjointed in appearance sport blackish scales on the stems. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Attracts butterflies
Wet soil tolerant
Narrow lime green fronds tapering down at the tip and at the lower part of blade. Grown best in part to full shade with humusy, moist soil rich in organic matter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms early spring to summer
1-2 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Wet soil tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
O
This deciduous fern gets its common name from the long, upright feathery fronds that resemble ostrich plumes. Before the fronds unfurl in the spring, they can be harvested and cooked to make a delicious side dish. Fast growth rate.
Blooms mid-spring to fall
HARDY to -40 °F (-40 °C)
4-6 ft tall x 3-4 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
R
Green spore-bearing fronds appear in spring, quickly turning brown. Fiddleheads pop up at the base of the plant and unfurl into sterile, chartreuse fronds. Moderate growth rate.
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
HARDY to -40°F (-40°C)
Attracts bees and butterflies
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
S
Long bright green fronds with triangular pinnae. Fertile fronds appear in late summer, turning brown and staying upright though winter. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms late spring to fall
3-4 ft tall x 3-4 ft wide
HARDY to -30°F (-34.4°C)
Attracts bees and butterflies
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant
Tolerant to juglone
T
This evergreen fern features a fountain of leathery, narrowly lance-shaped deep green fronds that when unfurling, flip backwards, resembling a tassel, and add winter interest. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to winter
2-3 ft tall x 2-3 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant
W
This evergreen fern features a fountain of leathery, narrowly lance-shaped bright green fronds that add winter interest. Moderate growth rate.
Blooms mid spring to winter
3-4 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide
Deer and rabbit resistant
Drought tolerant