Top 8 Shade Loving Ferns to Grow

Choosing the best fern varieties for shade can transform the trickiest areas of your yard into lush, vibrant spaces. Ferns are incredibly versatile, tough, and low-maintenance, making them perfect for adding color, texture, and a dense backdrop for woodland blooms. They also work well as ground cover plants and in containers. Here are eight top fern varieties for shade:

1. Ostrich Fern: Known for its large, bright green fronds, the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) grows upright with a slight fan at the top. Hardy in zones 3-8, it prefers full shade and moist, organic-rich soil. It’s deer and rabbit resistant, and fronds should be trimmed in late fall.
2. Soft Shield Fern: This evergreen fern (Polystichum setiferum), native to Britain, has lush green fronds that unfurl gracefully. Ideal for part shade, it thrives in damp, well-draining soil and needs minimal care. Trim back fronds in January for new growth.
3. Broad Buckler Fern: Also known as the wood fern (Dryopteris dilatata), this semi-evergreen fern has spear-like fronds with deeply toothed edges. Growing up to 5 feet tall, it adds texture to shady borders and mixes well with spring blooms.
4. American Maidenhair Fern: A delicate, low-growing variety (Adiantum pedatum) that thrives in full shade, it prefers cooler, moist soil and humid conditions. Hardy in zones 3-8, its apple green foliage has an ultra-matt surface that sheds water easily.
5. Painted Lady Burgundy Lace Fern: This striking fern (Athyrium ‘Burgundy Lace’) features silver-green foliage with bold burgundy-purple stalks. It prefers nutrient-rich, moist soil and shade to part shade conditions, reaching 15-20 inches tall.
6. Christmas Fern: Known for its glossy, deep green foliage (Polystichum acrostichoides), this fern is easy to grow and provides year-round greenery. It’s hardy, low-maintenance, and great for planting on slopes to prevent erosion.
7. Brilliance Autumn Fern: This colorful fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) has finely cut triangular fronds with a coppery tint. Its underside bears orange-red spores in the fall, adding to its visual appeal. It thrives in part shade to full shade.
8. Dicksonia Antarctica: A tree fern with sturdy trunks and majestic fronds, it can grow up to 16 feet tall. It prefers temperate conditions and should be sheltered from strong winds. This fern does not tolerate hot, dry conditions.

These ferns, with their diverse shapes, colors, and textures, can bring a touch of elegance and greenery to even the darkest corners of your garden.

Re-reported from the article originally published in HOMES & GARDENS.