Ferns are a very ancient family of plants: early fern fossils predate the beginning of the Mesozoic era, 360 million years ago. They are older than land animals and far older than the dinosaurs. They were thriving on Earth for two hundred million years before the flowering plants evolved.
As we know them now, most ferns are leafy plants that grow in moist areas under forest canopy. They are “vascular plants” with well-developed internal vein structures that promote the flow of water and nutrients. Unlike the other vascular plants, the flowering plants and conifers, where the adult plant grows immediately from the seed, ferns reproduce from spores and an intermediate plant stage called a gametophyte.
Backyard gardens …ferns for you….yes or no…
Holly ferns (Polystichum spp.)
Holly ferns (Polystichum spp.), native to the eastern United States, get their common name because their tough green leaves often persist through winter so they can be cut for Christmas decorations, making them valuable garden plants. Clip last year’s leaves off the plants in early spring before new growth appears.
Learn more about holly fern.
Western sword ferns
Western sword ferns (P. munitum) thrive in coastal settings and grow glossy deep green fronds 3-4 feet tall and wide. Zones 5-10
Japanese tassel ferns
Japanese tassel ferns (P. polyblepharum) are shorter, 18-24 inches tall and 10 inches wide. They do well in containers. Zones 6-10
Hay-Scented Fern
Hay-Scented Fern native to the eastern United States, arching yellow-green fronds of this fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) have the distinction of smelling like freshly mown hay when bruised or crushed. The plants, 3 feet tall and wide, quickly spread as a groundcover. Zones 3-8
Lady ferns
Lady ferns (Athyrium spp.) live up to their name — they are both beautiful and dainty. These ferns vary greatly in size and structure. Some are strongly upright; others are spreading. Lady ferns are relatively tolerant of sun and dry soil and drop their leaves in fall.
maidenhair ferns
Maidenhair Fern the delicate, airy look of maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.) belies how tough these plants really are. Each wiry stem holds broad leaflets at the tip of the stem, creating an umbrellalike appearance. These noninvasive ferns look good planted together in a group.
Osmunda ferns
Osmunda ferns are among the largest ferns home gardens can plant. Native everywhere east of the Mississippi and a few places to the west, they thrive in very moist soil.
ostrich fern
Ostrich Fern If you want a plant to take over a wet woodland space, choose ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris). These large, vase-shape ferns unfurl fronds that can reach 5 feet, although 3 feet tall and wide is typical. The green fronds resemble ostrich plumes. Do not plant this fern with well-behaved perennials or other tidy plants; it will quickly bully them. With space to roam and average to moist soil, they quickly make a junglelike groundcover. Ostrich ferns tolerate sun as long as the soil never dries. When soil dries in shady locations, however, fronds burn. Zones 3-8
wood ferns
Wood Fern tough, beautiful, and drought-tolerant once established, wood ferns (Dryopteris spp.) are great for planting in the garden. Some types of these medium-size ferns are evergreen plants while others drop their leaves in fall. Divide the clumps every three years or so to maintain their symmetrical forms. Undivided clumps become large and unattractive.
