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ajpa_gw

fern recs for shady spot in garden?

ajpa
15 years ago

Hi.

I want to plant a few things on the north side of the deck, which is pretty shady. I was thinking of putting some hardy ferns in the shadiest parts of it.

Are there any kinds I should look for?

Any I should avoid?

Thanks!!!

aj

Comments (7)

  • Iris GW
    15 years ago

    I really like Northern Maidenhair fern, Adiantum pedatum. Hardy, native and quite good looking too.

  • john_4b
    15 years ago

    I would avoid Ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) or (Pteretis pensylvanica), as they will spread by underground runners, and eventually take over any area they are planted into.

  • razorback33
    15 years ago

    Here's a few that I find that are easily grown and would be hardy for you:

    Native___
    Dryopteris carthusiana (Spinulose woodfern)
    Dryopteris clintoniana (Clinton's woodfern)
    Dryopteris filix-mas (Male fern)
    Dryopteris goldiana (Goldie's woodfern)
    Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal woodfern)
    Dryopteris braunii (Braun's woodfern)
    Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern)
    Athyrium filix-femina (Lady fern) Several cultivars are available.
    Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern)
    Osmunda claytonia (Interrupted fern)
    Osmunda regalis (Royal fern)
    Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony spleenwort) (small)

    Non-native___
    Athyrium niponicum, var. pictum (Japanese Painted fern). Many cultivars available.
    Athyrium x 'Ghost' (Ghost fern) (a hybrid between the Japanese Painted fern & the native Lady fern)
    Cyrtomium falcatum 'Rochfordianum' (Rochford's hollyfern)
    Cyrtomium fortunei (Fortune's hollyfern)
    Dryopteris affinis (Golden-scale male fern) Some cultivars available.
    Dryopteris championii (Champion's woodfern)
    Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn fern)
    Dryopteris hondoensis (Hondo Japanese fern)
    Dryopteris tsus-simense (Korean Rock fern)
    Polystichum polyblepharum (Japanese Tassel fern)

    The Polystichum, Asplenium and some of the Dryopteris are evergreen. The Athyrium's are deciduous.

    Many of these are fairly common in the trade and are stocked by many nurseries and box stores.

    When planting any fern, it's necessary to keep the soil moist until the plant is established.
    All of these do well in full shade and some will tolerate part shade (morning sun) or dappled shade.
    Good luck!
    Rb

  • greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
    15 years ago

    How about a planting of Alaskan fern, Polystichum setiferum?
    This is only my second year growing this fern, but it's already become
    a favorite. I, too, would recommend the spinulose Dryopteris and
    the Korean rock fern (Dryopteris tsus-simense), mentioned above.

    Josh

  • razorback33
    15 years ago

    Hi Josh....
    I didn't list Polystichum setiferum, because it is a species that is difficult for me to grow, here in the SE.
    In Southern Europe, where it is a native species, it is found at high altitudes. They also require adequate summer moisture, which is notoriously deficient in my environs!
    Rb

  • greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
    15 years ago

    It'll probably work for Aj's zone 6, I'd think.
    I keep mine in a container on a shaded western deck, which doesn't receive light until noon.
    This winter, a minor snow broke all of the fronds, so it now looks like one of those giant,
    droopy seastars. Ah well, it'll bounce back this spring. It is a very soft, very delicate
    fern, somewhat thin. If I ever put these in-ground, I'll certainly plant them in groups of three.

    {{gwi:600003}}

    {{gwi:430198}}

    Josh

  • ajpa
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Thanks! I'm going to print the recs and keep them handy when I go fern shopping.

    Josh, that's pretty! Very delicate looking.

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