Border Fern Plants

Broad Beech Fern

• The broad beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera) is an upright deciduous fern that grows between 12 and 24 inches tall. It prefers part to full shade and does best in moist conditions, but it can tolerate some drought. This creeping fern spreads by rhizomes and has finely toothed light green fronds.

Japanese Painted Fern

• Athyrium nipponicum has silvery-gray foliage with purple to dark green stems. Its dark stems and light-colored foliage give it a variegated look. Its arching fronds grow between 18 and 24 inches long, and it should be planted in part to full shade so the sun doesn't wash out its colors. This fern needs adequate summer irrigation in order to keep growing. You may want this showstopping fern right up front in your garden.

Maidenhair

• Delicate maidenhair ferns are wonderful for a border. Although they grow between 12 to 26 inches tall, their delicate, lacy foliage rests on fine, arching stems that provide a pretty and airy border. The southern maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris) grows in light to full shade but needs constant moisture. Northern or common maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum) has wiry stems like the southern maidenhair, but its fronds and leaves form a distinctive horseshoe shape. It grows in part to full shade and needs constant moisture.

Korean Rock Fern

• Far from the delicate maidenhair ferns, the Korean rock fern has dark, leathery foliage for a defined and strong border. It grows in a vase shape from 10 to 15 inches tall. Somewhat hardy, it can withstand some drought, but it grows best in constant moisture in part to full shade.