Varieties of Large Ferns In Landscaping

by Bailey Sons – February 14, 2023

Large Ferns

Many people think of ferns as houseplants, but they are also an excellent choice for your landscaping needs. Ferns come in wide varieties and are easy to grow, even if you aren't known for your green thumb. If your yard is shady, there may be spots where grass doesn't increase, and having fern bushes in those areas will allow you to maintain some greenery rather than fight grass that doesn't want to grow. Also, unlike many other plants, ferns tend to be resistant to common pests and plant diseases and are usually left alone by wildlife -- including deer and rabbits.



Parts of a Fern


If ferns are going to be a big part of your yard, it is helpful to understand what they are made of. The parts include

Roots - Produced from rhizomes that can be either creeping or climbing. Climbers stay in a more confined area, while creepers are more likely to stretch out.
Stems -- This is the support structure of the fern and is also referred to as a stipe on or stalk. It includes a scaly or hairlike texture and connects the root to the leaves/fronds.
Fronds -- The leafy part of the fern is a frond, a leaf that is made of two parts. It has a stem and triangular blades. The blades are called pinnae. New fronds first emerge as a crozier, which looks like a shepherd hook, or as a fiddlehead.



Popular Landscaping Ferns and Where to Plant Them

 


Just because ferns are easy doesn't mean you don't need to pay attention to where they are planted. Depending on the type of fern you buy, they may do best in a different part of your yard or garden. Some popular options include

Christmas Fern - This fern is native to the Eastern U.S. and stays green in the winter. It looks similar to the Boston fern houseplant. It grows slowly but is hearty and will last a long time. It grows between 1-2 feet.

Ostrich Fern - This fern is named for the ostrich partly because of its height, as it can quickly grow to six feet. The bright green fronds circle a narrow base and have both brown and green fronds. This fern is even edible and has a flavor similar to asparagus. Ostrich ferns are a great option if you have a sunnier spot for planting. Many other types of ferns do better in the shade.

Glade Fern - The Glade fern is part of the wood fern family. It grows in circular clusters to about three feet in height. The fronds are bright green and do not give off an aroma. It grows best in rich soil, partial or complete shade, and well-drained soil.

Cinnamon Fern - This fern does great next to ponds or water gardens. It grows spores in addition to the wispy green leaves, offering a contrasting brown shade that looks great in your yard. This fern is often compared to the Christmas fern, which has a similar look.

Royal Fern - This fern does well in shaded areas and produces beadlike spores in addition to the leaves. It frequently grows between two and three feet, although some get as tall as six feet. Your goal should be to keep moisture in the soil and be carefully prepared before planting.

No matter what kind of ferns you have in your yard, they make a great addition and "play well" with other plants you may choose to include in your landscaping plan.

 

 

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Christmas Ferns

Christmas Fern

Christmas Fern, also known as Polystichum acrostichoides, is a perennial from primarily eastern North America with leaves that stay green even through the holiday season. This plant’s popularity comes from its fountain-like fronds that spawn from its base. The Appearance Of The Christmas Fern The fronds of this evergreen Christmas Fern plant generally grow to 1 to 2 feet long, while the plant usually grows 2 to 3 feet tall. The fronds stay glossy and green all year, although longer when the plant is fertile. The fern is also among the first to emerge again in the spring. When the fronds emerge, they are initially upright. They later arch gently to the ground and become solid ground cover when fully mature. This also means their appearance will change slightly throughout the year, refreshing the look of a large garden.  Where To Plant Christmas Ferns The fern performs best in excellent, moist soil with lots of shade, as this plant originated from a rocky, vegetation-lush habitat. The USDA says it grows best in hardiness zones 3 through 9. This hardy fern plant is also resistant to damage from pests such as small animals and deer, making it an excellent choice for those in northern states with deer problems. It provides excellent ground cover and accents. They can be used as a border for a more extensive garden, to fill space in a large yard, or even as a potted houseplant.  Christmas Ferns Are Low-maintenance Christmas Ferns can also be placed in a planter. Be sure to mist them at least once a week to allow for moist but not excessively saturated soil. Indoors, these plants will do best near a window that provides daytime sunlight and afternoon shade to prevent overexposure to the sun or the risk of drying out the fern’s soil. Luckily, this fern isn’t hard to care for and does not need to be regularly pruned, making it an excellent choice for a gardener.
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Ostrich Fern Plants

Ostrich Fern

The Tennessee ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), often called ostrich fern, is a large, strikingly elegant fern known for its feathery, arching fronds resembling ostrich plumes. It is native to temperate regions of North America, including parts of Tennessee, and thrives in moist, shady environments, making it a popular choice for woodland gardens and shaded landscapes. The Tennessee ostrich fern is hardy in zones 3-7, which includes much of the central and northern U.S., including Tennessee. Tennessee Ostrich Fern Does Great In Containers  Smaller ones thrive in a large planter or container on a deck or balcony, provided they are not in full sunlight. They are perennials, so they can be expected to grow in lawns or gardens year after year. Their hardiness makes them ideal for difficult-to-plant regions, including those that receive frost and snow in the winter. The Tennessee Ostrich Fern Growth Tennessee Ostrich Fern produces new fronds, called crowns, each year surrounding the previous year's growth. This means that the plant will consistently grow in size year after year. Once it reaches its desired size, it can be easily divided by splitting the root ball and replanting each half. The fern produces two types of fronds: Sterile Fronds (the leafy green fronds): These are the large, lush, and feathery fronds that give the plant its characteristic look. They can grow up to 3 to 6 feet tall and arch outward, forming a vase-like shape. Fertile Fronds (spore-producing fronds): These fronds appear in the center of the plant later in the season and are shorter, darker, and more rigid. They turn brown in the fall and remain standing throughout the winter. Tennessee Ostrich Fern Reaches 6 Feet Tall Tennessee Ostrich Fern can be expected to grow to between 3 and 6 feet with lush, green fronds. Its fronds make an ideal backdrop for annual flowering plants and are large enough to delineate different landscape sections. The fronds can also provide a lush green color and texture to cut flower bouquets and arrangements. Ostrich ferns are perfect for woodland or shade gardens, adding height and texture to the landscape. Due to their spreading habit and love for moisture, they can be planted on shaded slopes or near streams where their roots help stabilize the soil. Ostrich ferns prefer partial shade to full shade, though they can tolerate some morning sun, especially in cooler climates. Too much sun can scorch the fronds. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes, creating colonies over time, which makes it useful as a natural ground cover.
From $7.99
From $7.99
Christmas Ferns

Christmas Fern

Christmas Fern, also known as Polystichum acrostichoides, is a perennial from primarily eastern North America with leaves that stay green even through the holiday season. This plant’s popularity comes from its fountain-like fronds that spawn from its base. The Appearance Of The Christmas Fern The fronds of this evergreen Christmas Fern plant generally grow to 1 to 2 feet long, while the plant usually grows 2 to 3 feet tall. The fronds stay glossy and green all year, although longer when the plant is fertile. The fern is also among the first to emerge again in the spring. When the fronds emerge, they are initially upright. They later arch gently to the ground and become solid ground cover when fully mature. This also means their appearance will change slightly throughout the year, refreshing the look of a large garden.  Where To Plant Christmas Ferns The fern performs best in excellent, moist soil with lots of shade, as this plant originated from a rocky, vegetation-lush habitat. The USDA says it grows best in hardiness zones 3 through 9. This hardy fern plant is also resistant to damage from pests such as small animals and deer, making it an excellent choice for those in northern states with deer problems. It provides excellent ground cover and accents. They can be used as a border for a more extensive garden, to fill space in a large yard, or even as a potted houseplant.  Christmas Ferns Are Low-maintenance Christmas Ferns can also be placed in a planter. Be sure to mist them at least once a week to allow for moist but not excessively saturated soil. Indoors, these plants will do best near a window that provides daytime sunlight and afternoon shade to prevent overexposure to the sun or the risk of drying out the fern’s soil. Luckily, this fern isn’t hard to care for and does not need to be regularly pruned, making it an excellent choice for a gardener.
From $7.99
From $7.99
Ostrich Fern Plants

Ostrich Fern

The Tennessee ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), often called ostrich fern, is a large, strikingly elegant fern known for its feathery, arching fronds resembling ostrich plumes. It is native to temperate regions of North America, including parts of Tennessee, and thrives in moist, shady environments, making it a popular choice for woodland gardens and shaded landscapes. The Tennessee ostrich fern is hardy in zones 3-7, which includes much of the central and northern U.S., including Tennessee. Tennessee Ostrich Fern Does Great In Containers  Smaller ones thrive in a large planter or container on a deck or balcony, provided they are not in full sunlight. They are perennials, so they can be expected to grow in lawns or gardens year after year. Their hardiness makes them ideal for difficult-to-plant regions, including those that receive frost and snow in the winter. The Tennessee Ostrich Fern Growth Tennessee Ostrich Fern produces new fronds, called crowns, each year surrounding the previous year's growth. This means that the plant will consistently grow in size year after year. Once it reaches its desired size, it can be easily divided by splitting the root ball and replanting each half. The fern produces two types of fronds: Sterile Fronds (the leafy green fronds): These are the large, lush, and feathery fronds that give the plant its characteristic look. They can grow up to 3 to 6 feet tall and arch outward, forming a vase-like shape. Fertile Fronds (spore-producing fronds): These fronds appear in the center of the plant later in the season and are shorter, darker, and more rigid. They turn brown in the fall and remain standing throughout the winter. Tennessee Ostrich Fern Reaches 6 Feet Tall Tennessee Ostrich Fern can be expected to grow to between 3 and 6 feet with lush, green fronds. Its fronds make an ideal backdrop for annual flowering plants and are large enough to delineate different landscape sections. The fronds can also provide a lush green color and texture to cut flower bouquets and arrangements. Ostrich ferns are perfect for woodland or shade gardens, adding height and texture to the landscape. Due to their spreading habit and love for moisture, they can be planted on shaded slopes or near streams where their roots help stabilize the soil. Ostrich ferns prefer partial shade to full shade, though they can tolerate some morning sun, especially in cooler climates. Too much sun can scorch the fronds. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes, creating colonies over time, which makes it useful as a natural ground cover.
From $7.99
From $7.99

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