Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc

Native Ferns

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Adiantum pedatum      Maiden Hair Fern

One of the more desirable ferns because of its graceful foliage. These will reach a height of 12-24 inches tall. They will clump up nicely and add a delicate look to your shade garden. Must have rich moist soil.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, 12-24 in Tall, Zones 2-8

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Asplenium platyneuron      Ebony Spleenwort

A small evergreen fern. The foliage is dark green and has a shiny dark stem. Does best in shade, will tolerate fairly dry soil. Will take sun if the soil stays moist.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Soil, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 2-8

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Athyrium asplenioides    Lady Fern, Red Stem Fern

This fern has a feathery texture frond with a red stem. Grows to a height of 18-30 inches. Prefers filtered sun to shade with moist rich soil. The fronds take on a bronze color before turning dark brown for the winter. It is a slow spreading fern, which will make a nice mass in a few years.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Moist Soil, 18-30 in Tall, Zones3-8

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Athyrium thelypterioides       Male Fern

This is a medium to tall fern, can reach heights up to 3 feet tall. The fronds are a light green color and 8 inches wide at the widest point. This is a medium spreader making a nice clump in a few years.

Shade to Semi-shade, Rich Moist Soil, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

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Botrychium virginianum      Rattlesnake Fern

It has a bright green lacey foliage and reaches a height of 6-12 inches. Must have shade but will tolerate drier soils. The fertile frond looks almost like a bloom that stands above the foliage.

Shade, Moist or Dry Rich Soil, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 4-8

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Dennstaedtia punctilobula    Hayscented Fern

The quickest spreading fern we grow. Will grow in sun or shade, wet or dry, a very versatile fern. Fronds are light green and turn gold yellow before going dormant for the winter.

Sun or Shade, Wet or Dry Soil, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Dryopteris celsa    Log Fern

This is one of our taller ferns reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet. The fronds stand very upright and have a dark green look. It likes shade and rich soil, and it will tolerate somewhat drier soils. Easy to grow.

Shade, Moist or Dry Soil, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

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Dryopteris goldiana      Goldie Fern

One of the tallest ferns, with dark green fronds that turn gold in the late summer. The fronds have a coarse look and can reach 12 inches across at the widest point.

Shade, Moist Rich Soil, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

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Dryopteris intermedia    Fancy Fern, Toothed Woodfern

This fern is usually evergreen except in real cold climates. Its fronds are finely cut giving it a lacey delicate look and they are a dark green. Often used by florist for greenery. The soil must be rich and humus and not allowed to dry out.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

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Dryopteris marginalis       Leather Woodfern

A dark green leathery looking fern that is evergreen. The fronds come out of the root crown in a circle and then layout somewhat. Needs soil that is rich, humus, and moist.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

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Matteuccia struthiopteris     Ostrich Fern

One of our largest ferns often reaching heights of 5 feet. A very graceful tropical looking fern. The fronds get wider toward the top. Plant in a wet area and it will spread and make a nice mass quickly. If the soil is real wet it can take some sun.

Shade to Semi-shade, Wet Soil, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 2-7

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Onoclea sensibilis    Sensitive Fern

This is a coarse looking fern with broad leaves. Grows in wet soils and will take sun or shade. Once established it will spread slowly.

Shade or Sun, Wet Soils 9-18 in Tall, Zones 2-9

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Osmunda cinnamomea      Cinnamon Fern

Probably the most recognized fern. Gets large with yellow green fronds often dropping over. The wetter the soil the taller it will get, often reaching 5 feet. They can tolerate sun if the soil is not real dry. This is a pretty fern that works nicely around shrubs or in your flower garden. Has a cinnamon colored fertile frond in the spring.

Shade to Semi-shade, Moist to Wet soil, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-10

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Osmunda claytoniana     Interrupted Fern

This one is similar to the Cinnamon Fern but will tolerate drier soils. The fertile leaflets interrupt the fronds giving it its common name. Has a light green color, which shows up well in the shade.

Shade, Dry Soil, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 4-10

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Osmunda regalis     Royal Fern, Locust Leaf Fern

This is a different looking fern that can get large. Has a coarse foliage that resembles a locust tree foliage. Pick a sunny wet area for this fern and it can reach heights of 6 feet. It will actually grow in shallow water.

Sun, Wet Soil, 3-6 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

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Polystichium acrostichoides    Christmas Fern

A very hardy evergreen fern. Has thick leathery dark green leaves that are used in the florist trade. This well known fern gives your flower garden some greenery during the winter months.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-10