Perennial Ferns

Athyrium

filix-femina (Lady Fern)

Shade. Height 30". Deciduous. Large, vigorous fern with lacy cut, lance-shaped leaves.

'Cristatum' (Crested Lady Fern)

Shade. Height 3-4'. Deciduous. Bright green leaves on stiff stems. Very refined leaflets with crested growth at end of each leaflet. Zone 6.p>

'Lady in Red'

Shade. Height 2-3'. Deciduous. Prefers moist soils. Zone 4.

niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern)

Shade. Height 20". Deciduous. Likes well drained soil. Light and dark greens blend softly with the grays to the burgundy in the center. The stripe is red. Zone 4.

Dryopteris

dilatata

'Lepidota Cristata' (Beautiful Broad Buckler Fern)

Full shade. Deciduous. Height 24". Prefers rich, moist, and acidic soil. Zone 4.

erythrosora (Autumn Fern or Japanese Shield Fern)

Prefers shade. Evergreen. Height 18-24". New growth is beautiful reddish brown to rusty color. Will go dark green gradually as it matures. Good for flower arrangements. Zone 5.

filix-mas

'Linerars Polydactyla' (Many Fingered Male Fern)

Sun tolerant in the morning. Deciduous. Height 48". Small projections on the tips that remind one of little fingers and the sori cling to you as you pass through the plant. Zone 4-8.

Matteuccia

struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)

Shade. Deciduous. Height 3'. Tall, erect, gracefully arching plant. Zone 2-6.

Osmunda

cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)

Shade. Deciduous. Height up to 5'. Likes acidic soil and moisture. Named because of the erect rusty brown fronds that appear in the spring. Foliage begins as a pale green that darkens during the summer, eventually turning a rich brown by autumn. Zone 3-10.

regalis (Royal Fern)

Shade. Deciduous. Height 48". Erect plant. Moisture is very important. Great color in the summer and fall, when frost hits. Zone 2-10.

Polypodium Vulgare (Hardy Fern)

Shade. Height 24-30". Green fronds cover the branches. Zone 5.