Ferns - A -  Plant Nursery

American Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum

The American Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum pedatum, is a deciduous, clump-forming fern which typically grows 1.5 to 2' tall and is most frequently found on rich wooded slopes, ravine bottoms and damp shady woods. American Maidenhair Ferns prefer moist, shady conditions, but will grow in sunnier spots if kept moist. It features finely-textured, somewhat frilly fronds which have curved stalks and are palmately-divided . The Maidenhair will grow in colder areas if the plant has good air circulation. This fern is a perennial and is deciduous in colder climates. Wiry stems are reddish-brown to black. Crosiers emerge pink in spring. This is a wetlands plant that does not flower or bloom. The attractive foliage is showcased in container plantings, foundation plantings, and groundcovers.

Southern Lady Fern
Athyrium asplenioides

The Lady fern or Red Stem fern has a feathery textured frond with a red stem. It is a slow spreading fern, which will make a nice mass in a few years. The Southern Lady fern thrives in the garden, given any reasonably good soil and will make a dense stand over time. The Southern Lady Fern is also known as the Tatting Fern. Lady Ferns have leaves that turn bronze in the fall and then dark brown over the winter. It prefers to have it's feet wet. This plant is used for container plantings, borders, foundation planting, massing and groundcover. The Southern Lady fern is perennial and is deciduous. This very versatile plant goes well with evergreen shrubs and Hostas.

Fern - Lady
Athyrium filixfemina 'Lady Fern'

The Lady Fern, 'Athyrium filixfemina', is a lovely bright yellow green fern with wide, deep cut or laciniate leaves. A real favorite that reaches a height of 2-3'. Plants spread slowly to form dense clumps. Under the right conditions Lady Ferns will continue to send up new fronds into the summer. These ferns are one of the easiest ferns to grow. They prefer to be grown in part to full shade in average to rich, moist but well-drained soil that is neutral to slightly acid. Whether used in borders or as a background, ferns enhance any garden with their gracefulness and their beautiful varying shades of green. Plants can be divided and transplanted in spring and early summer, planting the crown at the surface. They thrive even when other plants fail.

Ghost Fern
Athyrium 'Ghost'

The Ghost Fern, 'Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-feminais', is a deciduous hybrid fern. The characteristic that is most noteable is it's upright silvery foliage. The silvery foliage is acquired from its Japanese painted fern parent and upright habit from its lady fern parent. It typically grows to 30” tall. The slowly spreading clump of fronds are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery shades. The silver is contrasted by the darker maroon midribs. The fronds become more grayish-green as summers warmer temperatures arrive.The Ghost Fern is easily grown in organically rich, medium wet, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. The best site for this plant is in sheltered location. The Ghost Fern will tolerate more soil dryness than some other ferns, but soils must not be allowed to dry out. This fern is best used in, shade gardens or shaded border fronts, and in shaded areas near streams or ponds.

Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'

The ‘Japanese Painted Fern’, Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum', is a low maintance, deciduous fern with soft grayish-green and silvery dark maroon foliage. Being the Perennial of the Year for 2004, one can see why. ‘Japanese Painted Fern’ has a plant spread of 24” and a height of 24” and a must to any garden. ‘Japanese Painted Fern’ requires full shade, however, small amounts of afternoon sun give the most vibrant color to its foliage. A well-drained area is best, not allowing it to dry out. Perfect as a border plant, planted near streams or ponds or as an accent plant. It will contrast well with Hosta ‘Patriot’ or Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’. Best of all, the Japanese Painted Fern can help with erosion control, while presenting minimal wind resistance.

Red Beauty Fern
Athyrium 'Red Beauty'

The Red Beauty Fern, Athyrium 'Red Beauty', is a very vigorous and attractive relative to the Japanese Painted Fern. The Red Beauty Fern is a quick-growing plant for any partly to fully shaded garden location. The stems and veins remain bright red from spring to frost, while its long, elegant, lacy fronds cast silvery-green shadows in the shade. The upright fronds do not turn green in hot summer weather. You can use this plant as a groundcover because of its broad habit and fast growth. The Red Beauty can be used in containers, borders, and the fronds may be used for indoor arrangements. The deeply-dissected, fern-like, medium green leaves have a strong, somewhat spicy aroma that may persist when used in dried arrangements. Rabbits prefer not to eat on the Red Beauty Fern. Place this plant in moist, well-drained, enriched soil.

Wildwood Twist Fern
Athyrium 'Wildwood Twist'

The Wildwood Twist Fern, 'Athyrium 'Wildwood Twist', is a hybrid of the Japanese Painted Fern. It is a deciduous fern which typically grows to 18" tall and features slowly spreading clumps of triangular, smoky gray and green fronds. The fronds twist along the length of the frond. Use this plant in the landscape to add color to shade gardens and in combinations with other perennials. The Wildwood Twist Fern is easily grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. The best site is in sheltered locations. The best frond color is achieved in light shade. The soil must not be allowed to dry out. Use this plant to add color to shade gardens and combinations with other perennials. It blends well with lungwort, foamflower and hostas.

Fern - Autumn
Autumn Fern

Fern - Autumn, Dryopteris Erythrosora, is a plant that will provide a new color with every season! It is one of the showiest ferns as the fronds emerge in the spring with beautiful bright copper-bronze color tones. It then turns to dark green for summer, and back to bronze again in the fall. Autumn Fern has an evergreen habit that looks great in the partly-shaded bed or border. Once established it’s virtually self-maintaining, and truly eye-catching in any setting. This Autumn Fern reaches 2 feet in height and width. It is one of the few perennials that will grow happily beneath large shade trees or in dry soils. It presents a great effect when planted near a rock or a small pond. Use in pots indoors or for a patio or deck plant. Here’s a plant that will be with you season after season!