Environmental Benefits of Native Ferns

Ferns are remarkable plants. They have several benefits for the environment. Depending on where you live, there could be native ferns growing in your backyard!

In this post, we'll discuss some of the different fern varieties, including how this excellent plant can benefit the environment around us.

Different Types of Ferns

With approximately 380 species of ferns in North America alone, chances are you've seen this plant. Whether strolling around town or on a camping trip, coming across a fern is common.

Keep reading to learn about the different varieties of this incredible plant.

Christmas Ferns

These ferns get their name because they stay green straight through Christmas. They measure 1-2 feet in length and feature glossy, leather-like leaves.

Hay Scented Ferns

Hey scented ferns also grow about 2 feet fall while extending 3 to 4 feet in width. While the plant usually appears bright green, it gives off a yellowish hue in the fall months. Many people decide to grow hay-scented ferns because they naturally repel deer.

Ostrich Ferns

Ostrich ferns are a taller variety of plants. They look much different than the ferns listed above, featuring vase-shaped crowns. Ostrich ferns get their name from arching fronds resembling a bird's tail feathers.

Fern's Benefits On the Environment

While some native ferns can keep away deer and add beauty to your property, they offer several advantages to the environment.

Take a look at these environmental benefits below:

Natural Water Filter

One of the leading natural purposes of ferns is to filter water. It is made possible by their extensive and lengthy rooting systems. Ferns grow in various environments, making them very tolerant plants. They can grow in the bright sun or dark shade.

From cave systems to mountain peaks, ferns help to filter water and keep the soil healthy.

Great Shelter and Resting Place

Several different insects and amphibians choose ferns as a place of rest. In addition, they can also provide shelter from predators. These locations are often relaxed, comfortable, and out of harm's way.

Ferns are typically found scattered on the forest floor, so they're the perfect location for wildlife. Not only can insects, birds, and amphibians find a place to rest in ferns, but they're also a great place to escape the bright sun.

Provides Resources for Wildlife

While several critters enjoy using ferns for shelter and rest, some utilize them for food and nest building. Songbirds will collect the fuzz on the stems for lining their nests. Also, some species of leaf miners eat part of the plant, and spiders roll up the frond tips to make a safe place for laying eggs and raising their young.

Heals Contaminated Environments

One of the most outstanding qualities of native ferns involves their ability to filter out contaminants. Ferns can help keep the soil healthy and protected if a threat is present. Ferns can even uptake heavy metals from the soil. This natural healing process helps to keep the forest healthy and free of disease.

While ferns are beautiful, they also offer several advantages to the environment. From providing shelter for wildlife to healing contaminated forests, ferns help our world flourish.
Christmas Fern - TN Nursery

Christmas Fern

Christmas Ferns- Polystichum Acrostichoides  Christmas ferns are a beautiful addition to shaded or woodland garden spaces, allowing you to decorate every inch of your plot with something green. Growing between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, these small plants are the ultimate addition to an idyllic landscaping project, providing a bright cover for bare soil in awkward locations. Christmas Ferns are low-maintenance They grow in moist but well-drained soils (because of their forest-dwelling ancestry). This feature of their biology makes them ideal for tough spots where other plants won't thrive, including many hardy species. Ferns grow well even with minimal maintenance (reducing how much time you have to spend working on them) and thrive in areas with partial or indirect sunlight, like the back of a shed or next to retaining walls. Polystichum acrostichoides Plant Aesthetics They grow from their rhizomes, small dense tuber-type organs that provide the energy for the plant to form. Spores spread across a given area to provide more coverage over time. Since they are evergreen, they are a welcome addition to your garden by other species, including birds and mammals looking for shade.  This ability to remain vibrant year-round is why they have a festive name; it comes from their ability to survive low light conditions and cold weather that dominate the winter months. Most people place these plants in shady corners and damp areas. However, they are also handy for woodland gardens or forested parts you want to develop and make more visually appealing. Reasons to Use This Fern in Landscaping A hardy plant that grows in challenging conditions, including the cold, dark winter months Maintains its green color throughout the year, maintaining the garden's vibrancy Suitable for use on bare soil or in woodland areas Grows to between 1.5 and 2 feet tall (or slightly more under ideal conditions Requires cool, moist, well-maintained soil They are a beautiful addition to shaded or woodland garden spaces, allowing you to decorate every inch of your plot with something green. Growing between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, these small plants are the ultimate addition to an idyllic landscaping project, providing a bright cover for bare soil in awkward locations. Growth and Habitat These ferns grow in moist but well-drained soils (because of their forest-dwelling ancestry). This feature of their biology makes them ideal for tough spots where other plants won't thrive, including many hardy species. Ferns grow well even with minimal maintenance (reducing how much time you have to spend working on them) and thrive in areas with partial or indirect sunlight, like the back of a shed or next to retaining walls. General Aesthetics of These Native Ferns Ferns grow from their rhizomes, small dense tuber-type organs that provide the energy for the plant to form. Spores spread across a given area to provide more coverage over time. These evergreen plants are a welcome addition to your garden by other species, including birds and mammals looking for shade. This ability to remain vibrant year-round is why they have a festive name; it comes from their ability to survive low light conditions and cold weather that dominate the winter months. Most people plant in shady corners and damp areas. However, they are also handy for woodland gardens or forested parts you want to develop and make more visually appealing. Discover shade perennials, a leading landscaping plant for year-round greenery and gardeners interested in low-maintenance options. Hardy, Pest and Disease Resistant Christmas Fern is a hardy plant that grows in challenging conditions, including the cold, dark winter months. Maintains its green color throughout the year, maintaining the garden's vibrancy. Suitable for use on bare soil or in woodland areas. Grows to between 1.5 and 2 feet tall (or slightly more under ideal conditions Requires cool, moist, well-maintained soil

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Hay Scented Fern - TN Nursery

Hay Scented Fern

Hay Scented Fern: Dennstaedtia Punctilobula  Hay-scented ferns have a lovely fragrance, like hay, when the plant is brushed. These plants are native to the midwestern and eastern United States in wooded areas and along banks of rivers. The fronds are lacy in design and stand erect when fully grown, turning more yellow in the autumn. Aesthetics and Usage Of Hay Scented Fern The fronds reach approximately 30” in length, and plants spread approximately two to three feet. They can be grown in various soil types, including areas with poor soil and rocks. Established plants can be sown in dryer soil. Hay Scented Fern Is A Wonderful Native Plant Ours are mature in age and size and ideal for areas with partial or full shade. They can tolerate full sun. The plants are easy to maintain, requiring only moderate maintenance and watering, and are resistant to rabbits. Individual ones spread quickly to form colonies that fill in surrounding areas, producing a lush appearance to any garden.  The rhizomes may disrupt neighboring plants' development, so these should be planted in isolated areas with plenty of room for growth and spread. No Flowers, just ornamental beauty They do not flower. Leaves are fragrant and have a good fall, so some cleanup may be required in areas where the plants are grown. Insects and diseases are not common with them. The plants may decline in performance in warmer climates during the last few weeks of the summer. Hay-scented ferns are great additions to areas with trees, adding charm to wild-growing gardens and cottage landscaping. They can also be used in wooded areas to fill in areas for a more natural look. Hardy Planting Zone- 3 to 8 Bloom Season (if any) – Does not bloom Bloom Color  N/A Height at Maturity – 1.5 to 2.0 feet Soil Type Preferred- Medium moisture loams that are moist, acidic, and rich Sun or Shade – Partial shade to full sun

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Sensitive Fern - TN Nursery

Sensitive Fern

Sensitive Fern - Onoclea sensibilis The Sensitive Fern is a hardy, deciduous plant with finely dissected fronds that curl up when touched or exposed to frost. This makes it a unique and exciting addition to damp woodland gardens. This fern is a beloved plant that gets its name due to its nature, preferring specific environments that are mostly warm and humid. But despite its name, it's one that you should pay attention to if you live in a region that it can grow in. Let's examine why this perennial plant is a must-have for your landscape.  Sensitive Fern Is Stunning in Greater Numbers This plant looks good, but it produces a lush, green, thick spectacle that quickly adds more to any space when you plant multiple perennials together. The lobed leaves blend and reach up and out at a maximum height of about two feet. If you want to add some volume and life to spaces that need it most, consider adding several plants to your landscape. They may even spread naturally with time. Sensitive Fern Acts As a Home for Wildlife These plants grow in areas where wildlife flourishes, meaning they play an essential role in the ecosystem. Speaking of its more practical uses, small animals like frogs and salamanders will use the leaves of this plant to take cover and escape from the heat. If you're looking for plants that are friends with and attractors of wildlife, this one will be an excellent fit for your space.  It also serves as a source for animals and insects, so you won't have to worry about the wildlife population in your area decimating your plants before you can enjoy them. It is both deer—and rabbit-resistant, with larger animals only taking a few leaves or avoiding them entirely. This ensures that your plants still contribute positively to the environment but aren't at risk of being wiped out by animals. Groundcover like fern is the perfect solution where more common plants cannot grow. Adding height and color to more moist and humid areas of your property, these perennials take root and help your property look less bare, supporting the areas in your yard that need it most. They prefer partial to full shade. Although they are rather adaptable to some morning rays, too much sun can burn the thin blades of the ferns.  Water the plant frequently, but do not overwater. Add organic matter to the soil and keep the humidity high to promote growth.  They can reach a height of 1-3ft and can occupy a width of 2-4ft. Its narrow, light green leaves give it the appearance of ground cover in shaded gardens.  They do not require daily watering and are only to be watered if the soil in which they grow dries up fast due to heat. Do not let the soil dry out, particularly if you are in a region where there is little rainfall.  Sensitive ferns derive their name from the fact that the fronds of these ferns are damaged by frost and turn yellow as soon as the temperatures go low.

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