Ferns are interesting and unique plants that can easily grow in a shaded landscape. They are typically grown as foliage plants because they have showy leaves, known as fronds, that make a lovely addition to your landscape. Fern varieties range from very small to very large, with some tropical species growing as large as a small tree.
These plants do not flower or make seeds. They reproduce by spores, which typically develop in brownish patches on the undersides of the fronds (though some species develop them on separate stalks). Many also spread via underground rhizomes, allowing them to create dense colonies.
Species grow in woodland habitats worldwide, including a rich diversity that grows throughout North America. They prefer plenty of shade and moisture. You’ll likely spot them in rich ravines, along streams and wetlands, near rocky outcroppings, and even in the crevices of shaded cliff faces.
Look for species that grow within your Plant Hardiness Zone. Once you have identified your zone, select the varieties that will thrive in your region. When growing indoors, keep their native environmental conditions in mind.
Keep reading for details about 37 fabulous ferns that can make themselves at home in your shade garden environment.
Autumn Wood Fern
The colored fronds of autumn wood fern make a lovely ground cover.
 | botanical name Dryoptetris erythrosora |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
 | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
 | hardiness zones 6 – 12 |
The autumn wood fern, or Japanese shield fern, is a low-maintenance plant native to Asia. These plants will spread by underground rhizomes to form attractive colonies.
It typically has a bit of bronze coloration in its fronds and makes a beautiful ground cover. This variety appreciates moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Grow it in your shade garden, even in full shade, for year-round, evergreen foliage.
Boston Fern
Provide this fern with rich, moist soil in a shaded spot for optimal growth.
| | botanical name Nephrolepis exaltata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 10 – 13 |
The Boston fern is a tropical species native to Central and South America. It is an easy-to-grow fern variety commonly sold as a potted plant in hanging baskets. You can easily grow this plant as an annual plant in a hanging basket, container, or raised bed, or you can plant it in your shade garden, but it will not survive a winter frost.
It can also be grown outside in the summer and brought inside as a houseplant for the winter months. Boston fern loves a shaded location with rich, moist soil. It spreads by rhizomes, creating a dense cluster of beautiful warm-season greenery.
Braum’s Holly Fern
Braum’s holly fern is native to temperate North America.
| | botanical name Polystichum braunii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Braum’s holly fern is widespread and native to the temperate regions of North America. This attractive fern variety has fuzzy-looking stems and showy leaves and forms beautiful broad rosettes.
It does well in a shaded location with rich, moist, well-drained soil but will tolerate periodically dry soils after becoming established. It stays evergreen throughout much of its range, providing attractive foliage during winter.
Broad Beach Fern
This deciduous plant goes dormant in the winter but offers lush foliage during the growing season.
| | botanical name Phegopteris hexagonoptera |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The broad beach fern is an attractive plant native to eastern North America. The lowest and largest set of pinnae along each frond typically points slightly downward, giving these plants a slight overall look of disarray.
It grows well in a shaded location with rich, moist, acidic soil with good drainage. This fern variety is deciduous and will die back for the winter. During the growing season, you can enjoy its lush foliage display.
Broad Wood Fern
The broad wood fern is easily grown and thrives in shaded areas, even full shade.
| | botanical name Dryopteris dilatata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
The broad wood fern is an easy-to-grow native to Europe and Asia. It thrives in a shaded area, including full shade. Make sure to plant it in a location with moist, well-drained soil, as it appreciates consistent soil moisture.
Broad wood is a semi-evergreen fern variety, staying green throughout the winter in the warmer regions of its range but deciduous in the cooler regions. It will spread and naturalize in your woodland garden to create an abundance of attractive greenery.
Christmas Fern
This evergreen plant spreads via rhizomes to create protective habitats for small creatures and ground-foraging birds.
| | botanical name Polystichum acrostichoides |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
The Christmas fern looks similar to the Boston fern, but this variety is much more cold-hardy. It is native to rich, rocky woodlands of central and eastern North America. The home garden makes it easy to grow in a shady area with moist, well-drained soil.
This is an evergreen species that will keep its leaves throughout winter. It will spread by rhizomes and form dense, low-growing colonies that offer shelter for small animals and ground-foraging birds.
Cinnamon Fern
These fronds are bronze-orange and resemble a striking cluster of millet-like flowers.
| | botanical name Osmunda cinnamomea |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
Cinnamon fern is a unique-looking native found in central and eastern North America. This low-maintenance variety thrives in a shaded location with medium to wet soil. While ferns do not produce flowers, this type bears separate upright spore fronds.
These spore-bearing fronds are bronze-orange and resemble a cluster of very showy millet-like flowers. It would be a good choice if you’re looking for a plant with added color and zing for your landscape.
Deer Fern
The sturdy, evergreen fronds of deer ferns create appealing rosettes.
| | botanical name Blechnum spicant |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 1.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Deer fern is a smaller, hardy type native to western North America, temperate Europe, and Asia. It has leathery evergreen fronds that form attractive rosettes and make a good ground cover.
This variety produces two different types of fronds. Early-season growth produces sterile evergreen fronds, while mid-season growth provides fertile, short-lived ones. Grow it in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil for best results.
Dixie Wood Fern
This fern is an appealing choice for a larger fern in your woodland garden.
| | botanical name Dryopteris australis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 4 – 5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The Dixie wood fern is a hybridized variety that occurs naturally in the southeastern United States. It prefers a shaded location with moist, well-drained, acidic soil and tolerates fairly wet soil conditions.
This fern variety is semi-evergreen, providing long-standing fronds but finally dying back completely in the coldest months. It makes a very attractive large plant for your woodland garden and will spread slowly to form loose colonies.
Giant Wood Fern
Native to eastern North America, the giant wood fern grows in tall, attractive, upright clumps.
| | botanical name Dryopteris goldieana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 3 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The giant wood fern is a large variety native to eastern North America. It forms tall, attractive, upright clumps and makes a lovely addition to a shaded landscape. It spreads slowly by underground rhizomes and, over time, will form large colonies.
Give it rich, moist, well-drained soil, or plant it alongside a stream or pond where it can naturalize. It provides greenery during the growing season but will die back for the winter months.
Hay Scented Fern
The name hay-scented fern, is derived from the grassy fragrance it emits when its leaves are crushed or damaged.
| | botanical name Dennstaedtia punctilobula |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Hay-scented fern is easy to grow and native to eastern North America. This fern variety is more sun-tolerant than many others and is a good plant to mix with some native wildflowers for a bit of vegetative diversity. It also tolerates dry woodlands and will grow where many other moisture-loving species will not.
Hay-scented ferns will spread rapidly and, if allowed to naturalize, will become an appealing colony. The name comes from the grassy fragrance emitted from the leaves when crushed or bruised.
The delicate fronds of intermediate fern are prone to damage from strong winds.
| | botanical name Dryopteris intermedia |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full to partial shade |
| | height 1.5 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Intermediate fern is native to moist rocky slopes and ravines of eastern North America. It is semi-evergreen, staying green throughout the winter only in the warmer parts of its range.
It is an easy-to-grow fern variety for any shaded location with consistently moist soil. The attractive fronds can be somewhat brittle, so they should be protected from heavy winds and frequent disturbance.
Interrupted Fern
These ferns create attractive clumps when growing and shed their leaves in winter.
| | botanical name Osmunda claytoniana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Interrupted fern is an attractive variety native to the temperate regions of North America and Asia. While most produce spores on the backside of their leaflets, interrupted fern produces separate spore-bearing leaflets along the center stem of some fronds, giving it a uniquely characteristic appearance. It forms attractive clumps during the growing season and loses its leaves during winter.
Japanese Holly Fern
Japanese holly fern is excellent for shaded gardens with well-drained, moist soil.
| | botanical name Cyrtomium falcatum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 10 |
The Japanese holly fern is native to southern Asia but has naturalized in some regions in the United States. In warmer regions, it remains evergreen, while in cooler zones, it is deciduous.
It is easy to grow and looks nice in a shade garden with moist, well-drained soil. The fronds have large, leathery leaflets that give it a distinctive shape. It can also be grown as a houseplant.
Japanese Painted Fern
Utilize the Japanese painted fern to introduce seasonal color to your landscape.
| | botanical name Athyrium niponicum var. pictum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The Japanese painted fern is unique and hard to miss. It is native to eastern Asia and grows well in a shaded location with organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. The leaves are very colorful and showy. They often have purplish-white to burgundy-red veins with silvery-green to silvery-purple frond coloration.
This fern variety displays the best color when grown in the shade. Use it to add seasonal color to your landscape and compliment other foliage plants with beautiful colors.
Lady Fern
Lady ferns create charming clusters, and their delicate leaves complement other shade garden plants.
| | botanical name Athyrium felix-femina |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
The lady fern has a widespread range that includes the temperate zones of North America. It will grow well in a shade garden with rich, medium-moisture soil.
Lady fern is deciduous and will die back completely in the winter months. These plants will spread to form attractive colonies, and their delicate-looking foliage will look great alongside your other shade garden plants.
Log Fern
Native to the central and eastern United States, the log fern is a tall species that thrives in moist woodland habitats.
| | botanical name Dryopteris celsa |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 3 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The log fern is a relatively tall type native to the central and eastern United States. It forms attractive upright clumps and, as the name implies, likes to grow near rotting logs in moist woodland habitats.
Plants can spread into broad clusters, forming attractive colonies. It would be a good addition to a shaded area with rich, moist soil, allowing it to naturalize and spread freely.
Maidenhair Fern
Despite its delicate appearance, the maidenhair fern is robust and thrives in a moist shade garden.
| | botanical name Adiantum pedatum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The maidenhair fern is a deciduous species native to North America and Asia. It has very attractive fronds that are uniquely different from most other types.
Long, thin, bare stems emerge from the ground in the spring, at the top of which finger-like extensions unfurl, giving it an almost umbrella-like appearance. Although the maidenhair fern looks quite delicate, it is surprisingly hardy and easy to grow in your moist shade garden.
Maidenhair Spleenwort
Maidenhair spleenwort is ideal for compact spaces and gradually forms attractive ground cover colonies.
| | botanical name Asplenium trichomanes |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 0.5 – 1 foot |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 8 |
The maidenhair spleenwort is a small fern native to rocky woodlands and mountainous regions of North America, Central America, Europe, and Asia. This is a great little variety to fill in smaller areas.
It will spread over time and can make an attractive ground cover with its colonies. Maidenhair spleenwort likes medium-moisture, well-drained soil. It would be a beautiful plant for a shaded rock garden.
Marginal Shield Fern
This resilient fern remains green all year round and produces new fronds each spring.
| | botanical name Dryopteris marginalis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The marginal shield fern is native to central and eastern North America. It forms a broad, open bowl shape with gracefully downward-curving fronds. It stays evergreen throughout the winter, refreshing with new fronds each spring.
Grow it with other shade-tolerant plants in a native shade garden. They will not spread quickly, but in ideal conditions, you will probably see occasional new young plants emerge within close proximity of the parent plant.
Netted Chain Fern
Native to eastern North America, the netted chain fern is a deciduous variety with unique fronds.
| | botanical name Woodwardia areolata |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 9 |
The netted chain fern is native to eastern North America. It has very distinctive-looking fronds. Unlike most ferns, where the leaflets appear completely separate from each other, these leaflets appear connected at the base along the upper part of each frond.
This is an excellent plant for a naturalized woodland garden. The fronds will naturalize and spread to create a beautiful colony or ground cover.
New York Fern
Consider letting them flourish along a wetland’s border or on a shaded incline.
| | botanical name Parathelypteris noveboracensis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
The New York fern is widespread in moist forests and native to eastern North America. It grows very well in moist to wet soils with high acidity. It will spread readily by rhizomes and form large colonies.
Allow it to naturalize along a wetland edge or on a shaded slope. Plant some spring wildflowers nearby, and as the wildflowers finish their blooming session, the New York fern will just be starting to look its best.
Ostrich Fern
The ostrich fern can grow very tall in ideal conditions, forming dense clumps of vegetation.
| | botanical name Matteuccia struthiopteris |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Ostrich fern is a showy type native to northeastern North America. This plant may not grow to its full height in all gardens, but it can grow quite tall in ideal conditions. Each individual plant will form a dense clump of vegetation. It prefers shaded woodlands with average-quality, consistently moist soils.
It spreads readily by runners and will develop dense colonies. Grow this plant only in cooler climates because it won’t tolerate the heat and humidity of the southern states.
Rattlesnake Fern
This fern gradually forms appealing colonies when cultivated in a moist, shaded garden.
| | botanical name Botrychium virginianum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 1 – 9 |
The rattlesnake fern is widespread throughout temperate climate regions of multiple continents. It prefers a shaded location with organically rich, moist, well-drained soil. Growing it in your shade garden with plenty of moisture ensures it can slowly spread over time to form attractive colonies.
The fronds typically split into a 3-way separation atop a single stem. A taller stem emerges from the center with an additional fertile spore-bearing frond.
Royal Fern
These ferns can handle some sunlight but prefer partial shade.
| | botanical name Osmunda regalis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 5 – 6 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 10 |
Royal fern is native throughout central and eastern North America. It loves moist woodland habitats and can grow especially large with organically rich, wet soil conditions. These plants produce golden-yellow spore-bearing frond sections at the ends of some central fronds.
The leaves and leaflets are broad and coarse and resemble pea plants at a glance. This variety can tolerate a fair amount of sunlight but still does best with some shade.
Sensitive Fern
Beautiful sensitive fern features broad leaflets that look eye-catching in shaded areas.
| | botanical name Onoclea sensibilis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 3 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 8 |
Sensitive fern is a beautiful large species native to eastern North America. The broad leaflets make a very showy display in a shaded landscape. As the name implies, however, it is very sensitive to dry conditions and will quickly go dormant after the first frost. Don’t let this worry you.
However, this is a showy and low-maintenance shade garden plant. If you have average-quality soil that says consistently moist, this plant will thrive and naturalize, spreading to form dense colonies.
Silvery Glade Fern
The intriguing herringbone-like spore patterns on the undersides of the fronds are a captivating sight.
| | botanical name Deparia acrostichoides |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 9 |
The silvery glade fern is a medium-sized variety native to central and eastern North America. It grows in moist woodlands and prefers a shaded environment with consistently moist soil.
It will spread by rhizomes to form dense colonies. Individual plants display attractive rounded forms, and the herringbone-like spore patterns on the underside of the fronds are also quite interesting to examine.
Southern Lady Fern
Choose a shaded woodland garden with consistently damp soil to cultivate the southern lady fern successfully.
| | botanical name Athyrium asplenioides |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The southern lady fern is a vigorous medium-sized type native to the central and eastern United States. It grows in moist meadows, along woodland edges, and in varied forest understory environments.
It will spread readily by rhizomes to form dense colonies. You can allow them to naturalize and spread freely or divide larger clumps every few years. Grow it in your shaded woodland garden with consistently moist soil.
Southern Shield Fern
This deciduous fern goes dormant in winter but vigorously returns each spring.
| | botanical name Thelypteris kunthii |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 10 |
The southern shield fern is a vigorously growing variety native to the southeastern United States. It is fairly tolerant of sunlight but prefers at least some shade. Grow it in your woodland garden with rich, moist soil.
This is an excellent plant for a naturalized setting where it will spread by rhizomes to colonize large areas. It will go dormant in the winter months and regrow vigorously each spring.
Southern Wood Fern
The southern wood fern prefers moist soils, making it ideal for wetland areas.
| | botanical name Dryopteris ludoviciana |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6 – 10 |
The southern wood fern is native to the southeastern United States. It particularly likes moist soils and would thrive along a wetland edge. However, it is quite adaptable and will perform well in a wooded shade garden with average-quality, medium-moisture soil.
It’s evergreen within most of its range and will provide year-round interest. Over time, freely growing plants will spread slowly to create loose colonies of attractive vegetation.
Tassel Fern
To ensure its growth, provide organically rich, well-drained soil that stays moist.
| | botanical name Polystichum polyblepharum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 8 |
The tassel fern is native to China, South Korea, and Japan. Growing it in a woodland shade garden or shaded naturalized area is easy. Give it organically rich, moist, well-drained soil.
It has fuzzy-looking stems and shiny, leathery leaves with graceful, downward-curved ends. This plant makes very attractive clusters that stay evergreen through the winter months.
Variegated Holly Fern
The variegated holly fern is a striking variety with evergreen foliage that renews itself each spring.
| | botanical name Arachnoiodes simplicior ‘Variegata’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 7 – 9 |
The variegated holly fern is a very showy species native to China and Japan. This plant has evergreen foliage that will refresh each spring. The foliage is primarily deep green with yellowish streaks down the center of each leaflet.
It likes moist to wet, well-drained, acidic soil. The fronds have a more sparse appearance than many other denser-looking types, making this an appealing addition with a bit of diversity to your shade garden.
Virginia Chain Fern
Make sure there is enough space for this spreading fern to create appealing colonies.
| | botanical name Woodwardia virginica |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 2 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4 – 10 |
The Virginia chain fern is a large variety native to eastern North America. This plant loves moist soil and would do very well near the edge of a wetland or alongside a stream. Give it a place in your shade garden with rich, moist soil.
Give it plenty of space to spread because it will form attractive colonies. The leaves are deciduous, dying back during the winter months, but will regrow vigorously the following spring.
Western Maidenhair Fern
This deciduous species dies back to the ground each winter and rejuvenates in spring.
| | botanical name Adiantum aleuticum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 0.75 – 2.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3 – 8 |
Western maidenhair fern is an attractive woodland species native to western North America. It will die back to the ground each winter and start fresh again each spring.
The western maidenhair has thin black stems that rise from the ground. A set of finger-like frondlets unfurls at the top of each stem for an almost umbrella-like display. It’s hardy and will do well if allowed to naturalize in a moist woodland garden with plenty of organic matter.
Western Oak Fern
This fern stays compact and won’t spread quickly.
| | botanical name Gymnocarpium disjunctum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 1.5 – 2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 2 – 8 |
The western oak fern is native to the northwestern United States and western Canada. This plant grows naturally in moist forests, rocky slopes, and wooded wetland edges.
In the home landscape, give it a moist, shaded location. It probably won’t get too large or spread rapidly, so this would be an excellent plant for a smaller area, mixed in with some other shade garden specialists.
Western Sword Fern
Western sword ferns’ large, arching fronds create dense, hardy bunches, enhancing your woodland garden’s beauty.
| | botanical name Polystichum munitum |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 3 – 4 feet |
| | hardiness zones 5 – 9 |
The western sword fern is easy to grow and low-maintenance. Place it in a shaded area with moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
This plant’s large, arching fronds form dense, hardy bunches that make a stunning addition to your woodland garden. Over time, it will naturalize and spread to create valuable wildlife habitat and a beautiful and dramatic display.
Wooly Lip Fern
The wooly lip fern stands out for its exceptional tolerance to drought and sunlight.
| | botanical name Hemionitis bradburyi |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Partial to full shade |
| | height 0.75 – 1.5 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6 – 8 |
The wooly lip fern is unusual because it is more drought-tolerant and sun-tolerant than most other ferns. It is native to rocky locations in the southeastern United States and south into Mexico.
Grow it in a partly sunny or shaded area, in a rock garden, or in any location with very well-drained soil. It has silvery-green, fuzzy-looking leaves that are quite attractive and provide complimentary foliage to any other nearby garden plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since you can’t grow ferns from seeds (they grow from spores rather than seeds), you will need to acquire plants to start in your garden. You can find them for sale at many nurseries and garden centers or at specialty online retailers. Botanical gardens and garden clubs can be a good source of information as well. You can also ask your gardening friends and neighbors if they have any to divide and share.
It depends on the species. Some are evergreen and keep their foliage throughout the winter. These evergreen varieties develop fresh fronds in the springtime as the old foliage looks worn out. Others are deciduous and go dormant for the winter. Some of these will die back at the first frost, while hardier varieties will last through the fall and possibly into early winter before dying back completely.
As long as your container or raised bed is in a suitable location, many ferns can be easily grown in this arrangement. Most appreciate shade and moist soil, so you’ll want to have your beds and containers in an area protected from the sun where you can also water them regularly to help keep the soil moist. Containers and raised bed gardening have the advantage of being able to create ideal soil conditions for whichever plants you choose to grow.
Final Thoughts
Ferns are diverse, beautiful plants. They are easy to grow in shaded spots in your yard, where it can be difficult to grow other plants. One of the best things about ferns is that there are so many wonderful varieties to choose from! Grow a few different varieties, as long as they perform well in your region, and you will soon have a thriving shade garden to enjoy all year round.
