Ferns Every Master Gardener Should Know

Northern maidenhair ferns, Adiantum pedatum, grow as ‘shoes and socks’ groundcover at the base of a tulip tree.
Native Ferns
Adiantum pedatum, Northern maidenhair fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris, Southern maidenhair fern
Asplenium platyneuron, Ebony Spleenwort
Athyrium filix-femina, Lady fern
Onoclea sensibilis, Sensitive fern
Onoclea struthiopteris, Ostrich fern
Osmunda spectabilis, Royal fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, Cinnamon fern
Polystichum acrostichoides, Christmas fern
Woodwardia areolata, Netted Chain fern

Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ remains evergreen through the winter. New fronds emerge in shades of copper througout the season. Deer and rabbits ignore it.
Non-native Ferns
Athyrium niponicum, Japanese Painted fern
Cyrtomium fortunei, Fortune’s Japanese Holly fern
Cyrtomium falcatum, Japanese Holly fern
Dryopteris erythrosora, ‘Brilliance’, Brilliance Autumn fern
Polystichum polyblepharum, Korean Tassel fern

Virginia chain fern, Woodwardia virginica
All photos by E. L. McCoy
For the Love of Ferns: Solutions for Our Garden’s Challenges
Christmas Ferns: A Small Step Towards Climate Solutions
Evergreen Ferns Brighten Winter Gardens
Fabulous Ferns for Every Garden
Unraveling the Mystery of Growing Ferns from Spores
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