Ferns are beautiful , unequalled garden works that oftengrow well in louche locations . For gardeners with a passel of trees , these are go - to choice for background reporting , filling in spaces , and just in general titivate up the area . Because fern are arise mainly for their foliage , many gardener will pick and select between the different varieties based on the look and colors they want for their garden bed . Below are some of our favorite unique and popular variety

Himalayan maidenhair fern

Scientifically have it off as theAdiantum venustum , the Himalayan maidenhair fern fern is a perennial that grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8 . This salmagundi is often described as delicate , known for its lacing - like foliation and promptly - spreading nature . These industrial plant grow a foot tall ( at most ) and have a creeping nature that makes them perfect for ground reporting in funny garden beds or under tree canopies . They also make beautiful container plant if you have a terrace or other out-of-door quad looking for a instinctive presence .

Helpful care tips for this variety

TheAdiantum venustumis relatively pest - free , but can on occasion receive problems with scale worm . right care and tending to the fern will help keep it as healthy as potential to ward off insect and disease ; however , if you notice a job , you should be given to it straightaway to avoid any potential spreading .

Light needs : Partial shadeWater postulate : Enjoys surroundings with intermediate moistureSoil needs : Well - draining soil

Hart’s tongue fern

The Hart ’s tongue fern ( genus Asplenium scolopendrium ) is an evergreen , recurrent fern that grows up to 32 in in height . Unfortunately , much of their natural spring up zona have been destroyed due to human elaboration , making this plant severely to get ahold of . Some nursery specialize in the finish of this fern multifariousness , and if you ’re favorable enough to get your hands on one , they make a beautiful plant life for an outdoor garden bed . Plus , you could facilitate reintroduce them to the environment and keep them from becoming fully extirpate .

Because this cultivar is highly sensitive to innate influences , its undecomposed prospect of boom is when it ’s engraft in a sheltered location . This could be under some trees or in a garden bed that has some protection . Because their natural home ground is primarily rocky regions , you could even engraft them around some careen in your garden where they ’ll fit properly in .

Light needs : fond sun to full shadeWater need : Water on a regular basis during the first time of year , then only when conditions are drySoil needs : Well - draining soil

Japanese painted fern

If you ’re looking for a fern with a bit more optical interestingness , the Japanese painted fern ( Athyrium niponicum ) is a beautiful choice . The leafage is silver - hoary , turn over purple as you get nigh to the center , and grows from purple - red stem . The Japanese paint fern is another low - growing variety that can thrive in USDA hardiness zona 3 through 8 and is perfect for filling in blank post in your shady garden layer .

Although this variety can prosper in full spook , you ’ll get the most plangency out of the singular colouring when a little sun is innovate to the environment . If you ’re planting the Japanese painted fern with the intent to deviate from the green foliage , you ’ll want to prioritize partial shade locations where some sun is present during the day .

Light need : fond to full shadeWater needs : even watering ; enjoys moist ( not inert ) conditionsSoil need : Well - enfeeble , moist soil

Wallich’s wood fern

know scientifically as theDryopteris wallichiana , the Wallich ’s wood fern is a deciduous fern cultivar that ’s native to Hawaii , Jamaica , and Mexico . Unlike the other ferns we ’ve spill the beans about , this variety can get up to four foot in height in the correct circumstance — making it more of an accent industrial plant than unproblematic ground coverage .

The Wallich ’s wood fern is a relatively low - upkeep variety . It does n’t mind heavy shade environments , so if you have a garden bed that make much less light than all the others due to trees or subtlety from a household or fencing , this plant is a consummate addition . It ’s important to note , though , that the frond will break down during the winter . Around late February or former March , you should take the spent frond , cut the plant back to the primer coat , to make room for raw , salubrious growth .

Light needs : fond to full shadeWater needs : Water to maintain moist condition but avoid sogginessSoil need : Moist , well - run out soil

The ostrich fern

The ostrich fern ( Matteuccia struthiopteris ) can grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7 and is aboriginal to easterly Asia , eastern North America , and Europe . Ostrich ferns can grow anywhere from three to six feet in height , spreading up to eight feet , if give the room . You may determine yourself needing to run to this flora to avoid it take over ; however , if you ’re just looking for some ground cover under trees in your backyard , the ostrich fern is perfect .

Ostrich fern do n’t have any particular failing to disease or pestilence problem , which makes them a howling alternative for undergrowth and shady garden beds . If conditions get too squashy , though , they will start to rot and die like other plants . They wish a bit of wet , but too much can make the roots to overwhelm .

Light needs : fond to full shadeWater needs : Regular waterings for average moistureSoil need : Well - draining

The basket fern

Also ordinarily refer to as the carapace fern or the male fern , theDryopteris filix masis a cultivar that ’s native to most northerly temperate area . It grows well in USDA hardiness zone 4 through 8 and is a relatively downhearted - maintenance variety you could add to your garden .

The basketful fern , although miserable maintenance , is a very delicate variety and needs to be planted in a locating that ’s protected from high winds and extreme weather condition damage . The idealistic location for them would be a shadier garden bottom along the side of a house , service department , or fence that can provide some shelter and assist keep the fronds from getting damaged .

Light needs : fond to full shadeWater needs : Regular waterings for intermediate moistureSoil needs : Well - draining dirt ; take forethought to keep it from drying out

The royal fern

A fern of many aliases ( ditch fern , kidney fern , and out of practice fern , to name a few others ) , theOsmunda regalisis a gorgeous salmagundi that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9 . This fern can get anywhere from two to three ft tall in the correct conditions , spreading to an equal amount of distance . The regal fern is deciduous , growing natively along moist shelf and the edges of streams .

The best direction you’re able to tend to this cultivar is by hold back its aboriginal habitat in mind . Sometimes it can feel like you ’re easily supply too much water , but when you consider that it loves to grow alongside minor piddle beds and in generally dampish environments , you ’ll have an easier time . Do your best to keep the grunge from drying out .

Christ Within needs : Partial shadeWater call for : Regular tearing for average moistureSoil needs : Moist , well - draining grease

Ferns are fragile , beautiful verdure that can heighten almost any garden bed or underbrush area . These varieties are just the tip of the iceberg — there are so many out there that you’re able to raise , not only in an outdoor garden but in greenhouses , container , and indoors as well . Be mindful of their guardianship , and you ’ll see them thriving in no clip .