Got Shade? Perennial Ferns Are A Great Addition To Any Landscape

With their lush tropical foliage, ferns have a remarkable knack for instantly softening shade gardens and offer a cool sense of life where few other plants will thrive. Though tender in appearance, these summer wonders will offer a great punch with their luxuriant leaves as they effortlessly work to enhance courtyards, patios, borders, and beds. With varieties such as Autumn, Tassel, Christmas, Holly and Japanese Painted Ferns, gardeners have many beautiful options to add color and texture to even the shadiest bare spots in their garden.

Conditions and Care
Ferns thrive in completely shaded beds, filtered light, or areas that receive direct morning sun. Afternoon sun burns too bright for growing ferns in North Carolina. They like moist conditions, preferably on the north side of buildings, and well-drained flower beds rich in organic matter. Mix two inches of composted pine bark or other organic matter to amend heavy clay soils. Fertilize ferns in the spring after new growth has begun to ensure lush foliage for the entire growing season.

Some ferns remain evergreen throughout the winter but removing any damaged or unsightly foliage in the spring will give your plants a fresh and healthy start to the new growing season. Since ferns are sensitive to over-fertilization, we recommend using a complete slow-release product such as Osmocote or Biotone. As with any fertilizer, make sure to follow package instructions for proper rates. Mulch with two inches of pine straw or shredded bark in the spring and fall for optimum water retention and root protection.

A Few of Our Favorite Varieties

Autumn Fern: The newly emerging fronds of this fern are a beautiful shade of coppery-pink. Mature fronds are shiny and dark green and contrast nicely with the coppery tones of the new growth. Fronds are evergreen in areas with mild winters. Autumn Ferns will tolerate some sun if provided with a moist soil. Cut back old fronds in late winter or early spring to help tidy up the plant. Clump-forming and can be divided every three to four years. A very easy-to-grow perennial fern that looks great in mass plantings.

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