Year-Round Ferns

Small Ferns

• Small ferns grow well tucked into shallow soil areas between rocks or hanging over the rims of planters. One small evergreen fern is the American wall fern (Polypodium virginianum), which grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 in full to partial shade. Preferring moist soil, this 10-inch-tall fern tolerates dry growing conditions producing both erect and arching leathery fronds.

  Ruby red spikemoss (Selaginella erythropus “Sanguinea”) reaches 6 inches high in USDA zones 6 through 10. The dark-green feathery fronds possess red undersides.

Border Ferns

• Short evergreen ferns fill in the area between the lawn and border plants, creating a seamless joining of the two areas. One fern that works well in this transition area is the Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), which tolerates dry to moist conditions in USDA zones 3 through 8. The upright 24-inch-long fronds lie flat on the ground for the winter before moving upright again in the spring. This fern must have well-draining soil or the crown will rot.

  Japanese holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum), in USDA zones 6 through 11, produces 8- to 24-inch-long fronds made up of hollylike leaflets. This shade-loving fern grows as an evergreen but in cold winter climates acts as a deciduous plant.

Background Ferns

• Taller ferns work well when planted in foundation areas in the shade or in corners where smaller colorful perennials provide contrast to the green ferns. One popular evergreen fern is the Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), which grows well outside in USDA zones 10 through 12. This moisture-loving shade plant reaches 3 feet tall and wide but can reach up to 7 feet tall in favorable growing conditions. New sword-shaped fronds grow upright but arch gracefully over as they age.

  Mother fern (Asplenium bulbiferum) is a tropical lacy fern with arching fronds in USDA zones 9 through 11. In constantly moist soil, this fern reaches 4 feet tall, spreading 3 feet wide.

Extra-Large Ferns

• Some evergreen ferns reach tree size when grown in mild winter climates. One extra-large fern is the Australian tree fern (Cyathea australis), which stays evergreen in USDA zones 10 and 11. The dark-green 12-foot-long fronds grow on top of elongated stems that resemble tree trunks, giving the fern a palm-tree appearance. This sun-loving fern likes humidity and needs misting on hot, dry days.

  Soft tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica) reaches 12 to 18 feet tall with a canopy spreading 8 to 12 feet wide in USDA zones 9 and 10. This tree fern develops a trunk measuring 12 to 28 inches around.