skip to main content

Moss, Ferns & Cryptogams

Which fern for foundation planting ...

15 years ago

I am removing pachysandra from a bed which wraps along 2 sides of a cottage. I want to replace it with fern (I love the look of it). One side gets eastern sun for a good part of the day and needs about a foot of height (to cover cement foundation), the other side is north facing part shade and needs quite a bit more coverage (2 feet height). Soil is rich, well drained. The pachysandra has done relatively well. I like the idea of the more evergreen ferns for obvious reasons but recognize that I am asking alot. (the two sides can be different).Any ideas?

Thanks, Nancy

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
15 years ago
I'd put a giant chainfern (if it's hardy enough) on the northside. Woodwardia will grow over six feet tall. Very full, very jurassic looking fern.

Josh
botanybabe
15 years ago
If you don't want it quite that tall you might try ostrich fern, cinnamon fern, or brake fern. Go to Fancy Fronds (no I don't work for them) for a great selection for your area.

One more thing. Foundations of homes often leach alkaline residue into the soil. You should test your soil. Many ferns need the soil neutral-to-acid and you might need to add organic matter to drop the ph of your soil a bit.

Lainey
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
15 years ago
I just got an Alaskan Fern, too. My fronds are a little under two feet long. It likes shade and, being an Alaskan fern, is probably hardy!

Related Stories

PLANTING IDEAS Ferns: A Shade Gardener’s Best Friend

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring rich texture and contrast to a dark woodland landscape with wonderfully diverse ferns

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sensitive Fern Shows Its Strengths

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Wondering what will thrive in your wet, shady garden? It’s Onoclea sensibilis to the rescue

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Try this giant among ferns for a showstopping sight in a shady or even somewhat sunny woodland garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Autumn Fern Adds Color All Year

Use this evergreen, easy-care fern for soft texture and coppery tints in container gardens and the landscape at large

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Japanese Painted Fern Weaves a Garden Tapestry

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring striking colors and texture to your woodland garden with Athyrium niponicum var. pictum

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Fabulous Shade-Loving Ferns for Containers

By Olander Garden Design

Shade-loving ferns can add color and texture to your container designs

HOUSEPLANTS Get a Tropical Splash With a Bird's Nest Fern

By creative jewish mom.com

Sword-shaped leaves make this fern a stunning accent — and you can even mount it on wood for a wall hanging

HOUSEPLANTS Maidenhair Fern Brings Lacy Grace to a Room

By creative jewish mom.com

Give this houseplant damsel lots of water and humidity, and a happy ending can be enjoyed by all

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Comptonia Peregrina

By Curtis Adams

Though not a fern, sweet fern sure smells sweet and thrives in tough spots where many shrubs and ferns cannot

URBAN GARDENS One Fern Day

By Jen L'Italien

Think terrariums are tiresome? Unusual containers and unexpected greens yield surprising offshoots

Shop Serena & Lily