12 ferns to grow
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Wednesday, 6 November 2019 at 7:11 am
We've picked 12 gorgeous, low-maintenance ferns to grow.
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With their interesting foliage and textures, ferns are easy to grow and require little maintenance. Some species are evergreen, giving year-round interest, while others die back in autumn and produce new shoots (also known as croziers) in spring.
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Ferns are best known for growing in shade. Most are in the Dryopteris genus, commonly known as woodland ferns. There are several to choose from – each shoot produces what looks a little like a large shuttlecock of often evergreen leaves. These are split into pairs of oppositely arranged leaflets, and may be again and again. It’s the overall shape of each of these fronds – and then the shape and arrangement of the individual divisions – that creates the individuality of these woodland plants.
Some woodland ferns feature colourful amber, brown or black scales covering the unfurling fronds; the fronds of others turn attractive autumnal shades at the end of the season. Some make tight, compact specimens, contrasting with the spreading foliage of hostas and bergenia, while others spread into attractive colonies around mature shrubs. They do best in shade and moist soil, but once established many woodland ferns will tolerate sun and also drought.
Other types of ferns to grow include maidenhair ferns and Japanese ferns. Find out the best ferns to grow in your garden, below.
How to grow ferns
Ferns are versatile, and there are many types to grow to suit your garden. Some ferns grow in sun while others prefer shade. Nearly all ferns grow best in moist but well-drained soil, though some will thrive in dry shade.
The hard fern (Blechnum spicant) and the shuttlecock fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), are invaluable shade plants. In the video above, Steven Fletcher of Fernatix gives his three golden rules when caring for them, to keep them healthy and ensure fantastic feathery foliage.
More on growing ferns:
- How to grow tree ferns
- How to plant ferns in dry shade
- Hosta and fern pot display
Browse our list of the best ferns to grow, below.
Adiantum venustum
Delicate fronds of the Himalayan maidenhair fern
This evergreen Himalayan maidenhair fern, Adiantum venustum, does well in shade or dappled shade. Its delicate, light green fronds darken with age. Protect from wind.
Height: 22-38cm
Asplenium scolopendrium
Glossy, strong leaves of Asplenium scolopendrium
You often see British native Asplenium scolopendrium growing wild – if you spot it in your local area, it will probably grow well in your garden. It's evergreen, and needs very little care – just a little tidying in spring.
Height: 45-60cm
Asplenium scolopendrium Crispum Group
Crinkley-edged leaves of Asplenium scolopendrium, Crispum Group
A cultivar of Asplenium scolopendrium, Crispum Group is an eye-catching evergreen with distinctive wavy edges that become more pronounced as the plant matures.
Height: 30-60cm
Athyrium niponicum
Delicate, silver and burgundy leaves of the painted Japanese fern
Deciduous painted Japanese fern Athyrium niponicum is flushed with silver and burgundy, making it an unusual, eye-catching choice. Its growth is more prostrate than upright, and it likes moisture. There are several pretty cultivars.
Height: 30-38cm
Dryopteris erythrosora
Bronze fronds of the autumn fern
Known as the autumn fern, Dryopteris erythrosora is an unusual fern with red new growth in spring, which eventually turns bronze and then green. It's evergreen and just needs a little tidying up in early spring.
Height: 60cm
Dryopteris wallichiana
Tall fronds of Dryopteris wallichiana
In spring, deciduous fern Dryopteris wallichiana unfurls to produce striking fronds that are 90cm high. If you have the space, it looks particularly effective planted in a group.
Height: 90cm
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Bright-green fronds of the shuttlecock fern
The shuttlecock fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris, is not a British native, but has naturalised in parts of Britain. It sends up bright green 'shuttlecocks' in early spring and develops into a handsome plant. It prefers a moist soil.
Height: 1-1.5m
Onychium japonicum
Fine fronds of the carrot top fern
This delicate fern, Onychium japonicum, is known as the carrot fern, as its foliage resembles that of a carrot top. It hails from Japan, Thailand, and India, so it isn't fully hardy in the UK, although it should survive the winter in an unheated greenhouse.
Height: 10-45cm
Osmunda regalis
Pale-green fronds of the royal fern
Also known as the royal fern, Osmunda regalis is a deciduous fern with a stately look, and it can reach quite a size. Its foliage turns bronze in autumn. It likes a damp spot.
Height: 1.5m
Polystichum polyblepharum
Golden tassel fern fronds
Polystichum polybelpharum is an easy-to-grow evergreen, also known as the Japanese tassel fern. The tips of the fronds are covered in golden hairs, which have earned it the alternative name of the golden tassel fern.
Height: 45-60cm
Dryopteris filix-mas
Dryopteris filix-mas
One of the toughest ferns, Dryopteris filix mas forms clumps of deciduous, pointed fronds and thrives in various situations.
Height: 90cm
Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'
Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'
Dryopteris affinis ‘Cristata’ is semi-evergreen fern, bearing deep green, upright foliage with a crest at the tip of each leaflet.
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Height: 1.2m x 1.2m
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