Ferns – elegant, lush, and long-lived, any variety can be a lovely addition to your yard or garden.
By Yvonne Becker
Dryopteris championii
It would be difficult to select my favorite fern because I change my mind from month to month. During the winter months, it would be one of the evergreen ferns. Dryopteris ludoviciana is the largest followed by Dryopteris championii. They both grow in clumps rather than sending out numerous runners.
By the end of winter, they may not be as upright if heavy rain or snow has weighed them down. When the new fiddleheads begin emerging in the spring, I remove most of the old fronds unless they are still looking good. Another popular evergreen fern is Dryopteris erythrosora, commonly known as Autumn Fern. New growth is copper-colored. It is commonly sold at nurseries and “big box” stores in the spring.
Deciduous ferns that grow well for me include Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium nipponicum ‘Pictum’), a medium-sized fern that has burgundy and gray tones. Northern Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum) and Southern Maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris) are also great ferns for your shade garden. Although most ferns prefer a slightly acidic pH, the maidenhair ferns prefer a more alkaline soil, so add lime twice a year if soil tests indicate it is needed.
Shade is beneficial during the heat of the day. Some sun can be tolerated if there is enough moisture in the soil. Contrary to popular belief, most ferns need good drainage. Use organic matter when planting and then mulch them. Some ferns can be slow to become established, but are then long-lived.
Yvonne Becker volunteers with Garland County Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more information, call 501-623-6841 or email adykes@uaex.edu. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
