Ferns Add Beauty and Texture To Shady Areas

Foliage in varying shades of green capture your attention. Garden uses for ferns are almost endless; simply use your imagination. Ferns can be specimen plants or provide a lush backdrop for other shade-loving plants like Hostas, caladiums, and astilbes, to name a few.

Not all fern species are limited to shade gardens. Some ferns thrive in full sun, giving you even more planting options.

Ready to add ferns to your new or existing garden? Here are some of our top recommendations.

Why You Should Add Ferns to Your Garden

Ferns are an excellent option for shady areas where other plants often struggle. Along with providing greenery, sometimes year-round, ferns can stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

You can find ferns for almost every climate, from cool to warm. However, only some species grow in all plant hardiness zones. Some prefer milder winters, while others do not mind extended freezing periods.

It's always best to check the plant's description before bringing it home. When in doubt, read the care tag that accompanies most garden plants. It will inform you about its hardiness rating and the plant's care requirements.

7 Warm Season Fern Favorites

1. Bracken Fern

The only continent you won't see a Bracken Fern is Antarctica. The hardy fern is native to the eastern region of the United States and can grow in all plant hardiness zone. Even Alaskans can enjoy Bracken ferns during their short warm season.

Bracken ferns aren't picky about growing conditions as long as the area is entire to partially shady.

The perennial has a dense network of roots that burrow deep into the soil. The deep roots help ensure the fern will survive drought and freezing temperatures. It also works to prevent soil erosion. An easy way to use Bracken ferns is to plant them on shady hillsides. Along with preventing erosion, these tall plants can effectively stop weeds from growing.

Reaching around 4ft. tall, Bracken ferns are striking in the garden. The fronds typically appear in the early spring and stay green throughout the growing season.

2. Fiddlehead Fern

Native to North America, Fiddlehead Ferns grow in every hardiness zone as long as the conditions are ideal. These ferns are picky about growing conditions. They need a shady location with moist, acidic soil.

Fiddlehead ferns produce upright, green leaves with curled tips. The unique shape of the fronds gives the Fiddlehead fern its name, which is also why it's a popular garden plant. The fern looks excellent in mass plantings or blended with other shade-loving plants.

It is a deciduous fern that dies in late fall and reappears in early spring. In warmer climates, the fern may stay throughout part of the winter.

3. Glade Fern

Narrow, bright green fonds make the Glade Fern stand out in shade gardens. The fern can also handle dappled sunlight. Think of the light you get in heavily forested areas.

Glade Ferns grow in most plant hardiness zones and prefer slightly moist soil.

It is a relatively large fern. Mature plants can grow up to 2ft. and 3ft. wide. Its larger size makes it an ideal specimen plant in areas where other plants struggle.

The fronds and leaflets are slender with a slight downward curl. The curl makes the fronds appear to be dancing on windy days. Their feathery appearance adds texture and interest to the garden.

Glade Ferns tend to grow in clusters but are easy to thin out. The ferns also require minimal care. Water when the soil is dry or if you notice the tips of the fronds turning brown.

You may also know Glade Ferns by these other familiar names.

• Narrow-leaf glade fern
• Narrow leaf spleenwort
• Narrow-leaved spleenwort

4. Ostrich Fern

Ostrich Ferns are warm-season favorites. The fern is native to North America and grows in temperate climates. In nature, the perennial grows in swamps and damp forests. The fern will grow in sunlight but prefers damp, shady areas. You must keep the soil consistently moist to keep your Ostrich Fern happy.

Besides its watering requirements, it is a hardy fern resistant to pests and disease.

They make ideal backdrop plants for shorter species like caladiums and astilbe. Ostrich Ferns can grow up to four or five feet tall.

Growing in clusters, Ostrich Ferns are stunning. The fronds have a bright green stem in the center. The fronds form a crown at the top of the plant, and each leaf has a slight curl at the tip, resembling an ostrich bowing its head.

5. Cinnamon Fern

Native to the Eastern United States, Cinnamon Ferns grow in moist areas like bogs and swamps. In gardens, the lush ferns thrive in shady areas. These ferns are a great option in areas where little else grows. They grow in most soil types as long as they have plenty of moisture. However, they do prefer a slightly acidic growing medium. For Cinnamon Ferns to thrive, they require consistently moist soil.

These warm-season ferns grow in all hardiness zones in the continental United States (zones 3 - 9). The ferns are also resistant to most diseases and garden pests.

The fronds begin emerging in the early spring, constantly producing new fronds for several weeks.

In the summer, the fertile fronds grow spikes that gradually change to a rich cinnamon color. Non-fertile fronds remain a stunning, bright green.

6. Japanese Painted Fern

Native to Asia, the Japanese Painted Fern is also well-suited for the United States. The warm-season fern grows in plant hardiness zones 3 through 9.

It is a more miniature fern, often used in container gardens. It also works well in small shade gardens, with or without other plants. The fern's striking foliage often provides enough garden interest without the need for other shade plants.

The Japanese Painted Fern has unique foliage. The fronds divide into smaller leaflets, giving the fern a lacy appearance. Foliage colors range from silver and green to delicate purple.

It is a deciduous plant, losing its foliage in the late fall or winter. The perennial returns in the early spring; by summer, you can enjoy the gorgeous foliage until the fall.

7. Fern of the Month Plant Box - Get 3 Ferns per Month

Can't decide on a single fern species or are looking to add to your collection, a Fern of the Month subscription service is the perfect solution.

Depending on the subscription's frequency, you can receive a box of three ferns monthly.

Smaller ferns make great houseplants that require minimal care. It's a great way to add greenery indoors. The plants are also great for gift-giving. You can also grow these ferns in the garden or outdoor containers.

Anyone with pets will be happy to learn that ferns are non-toxic, even when a frond or two are eaten.

Add Greenery Indoors and Outside with Ferns

Ferns are perfect for shady locations. Mix them with other plants or let the ferns take center stage. Smaller specimens are ideal for indoor use and are safe for pets. Take a look at our selection of ferns. Or sign up for our Fern of the Month subscription service.

How to Keep Warm-Season Plants Warm During Winter

Maintaining the vitality of warm-season plants during winter requires significant effort yet yields satisfying results. The harsh winter elements can be mitigated through several practical methods to protect sensitive plants from freezing temperatures. Protective measures and well-considered planning will help your favorite warm-season plants survive the winter season without damage. This section covers fundamental guidelines and techniques to keep these plants sufficiently warm without identifying particular species.

The first thing to note is that plants experience stress responses to extreme temperatures similar to human beings. The harsh cold of winter produces damaging shocks to plant roots, stems, and leaves, which reduces their vitality and can lead to permanent harm. Proactive preparation is essential. The initial preparations for winter protection should start in autumn as temperatures decline. Installing protective measures early gives your plants a better opportunity to adapt to climate changes.

Gardeners most commonly protect the root zone by applying insulation. The plant’s life-sustaining water and nutrients depend critically on the health of its root system. Wrapping the base of plants with a thick mulch layer retains soil temperature and moisture while protecting sensitive roots from temperature fluctuations. Spread a layer several inches thick of organic materials like straw or compost around a plant’s base, but remember to maintain a small gap around the stem to allow air circulation. The insulation method blocks heaving, when soil cycles through freezing and thawing stages that push roots up.

Protective covers are a frequent solution for safeguarding plants that grow outside. Specialized horticultural fabrics, blah, nets, and cardboard boxes can protect plants from harsh winds and freezing temperatures. Placing protective covers around plants requires an air pocket because the trapped air provides extra insulation during cold weather. During sunny days and rising temperatures, remember to open or remove plant covers to allow fresh air circulation, which prevents moisture buildup that causes fungal issues. As nighttime sets in and temperatures decrease, the plant stays warm by restoring its protective cover.

People with indoor possibilities can effectively control temperature exposure for their potted plants by moving them to protected spots. Protect your container-grown plants by moving them to the milder indoor environment of a garage, greenhouse, or conservatory when outdoor temperatures become too cold. During winter months, plants need enough sunlight to stay healthy, so ensure they get enough light exposure. You can balance reduced daylight hours by positioning plants near south-facing windows or beneath grow lights. Maintaining appropriate ventilation and humidity indoors is essential because heating systems produce dry air, which harms sensitive plant leaves.

Developing microclimates in your landscaping setup provides significant advantages. Positioning plant containers close to walls, which soak up sunlight during the day, creates warmer growing conditions that can keep plant temperatures several degrees above ambient levels. Placing rocks or bricks near vegetation lets them absorb solar heat that they slowly emit throughout the night, which provides a gentle warming effect to the plants nearby. The primary aim is to create a protective layer that moderates temperature fluctuations around plants without producing excessive heat.

Cold frames and mini-greenhouses become essential tools for gardeners during winter seasons in cold regions. Limited indoor space users who want to lengthen their growing season or protect specific plants through winter will find these structures especially practical. Sunlight enters these structures during daylight hours, which raises internal temperatures to create ideal conditions for plant growth. Using coverings or insulation layers at night helps reduce heat loss. You must monitor and adjust airflow inside these enclosures to avoid overheating and prevent condensation accumulation. You can use a simple thermometer to determine if excess heat must be vented during sunny winter afternoons or if insulation should be added before an expected freeze.

People living in areas with frequent ice and snow accumulation must also protect sensitive branches and leaves from excess buildup. Removing snow and ice through gentle brushing helps avoid plant breakage. You can construct supports or simple frameworks covered with burlap or fabric to prevent structural damage. Winter weight stays bearable for plants because of these structural supports.

Physical barriers work best when you manage watering routines properly. Warm-weather plants typically require less water during winter, but their roots become more susceptible to cold damage when dehydrated. When temperatures remain above freezing, deep watering at intervals helps keep necessary moisture levels in the root zone. Administering proper water amounts during cold weather remains crucial because overwatering can create equal harm.

The value of constant observation and flexibility in response strategies remains critical. Because winter weather displays significant variability, you should monitor both temperature predictions and moisture readings. Adjust your protective measures accordingly: When extended cold weather is predicted, add more mulch and move containers inside during the coldest nights. All plants come with specific tolerance levels, requiring you to be observant and adaptable to create optimal survival conditions.

Warm-season plants can remain healthy throughout winter if consistent care is applied together with strategic protective steps. The combination of insulating methods, protective structures, and sensible watering shelters these plants, enabling them to survive cold weather and return healthy when spring arrives.