‍ Athyrium filix-femina

A hardy soft textured fern. Grows best in organically rich moist soils.

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• Height: 18”-36”

• ‍ Spread: 18”-36”

• ‍ Pot size: 1 qt

• ‍ Bloom time: N/A

• ‍ Light: Shade-Part Sun

• ‍ Moisture: Moist-Average

• ‍ ‍Attracts: N/A

• ‍ ‍Deer resistance: Yes

• ‍ Companion Plants: Carex, Tiarella, spring ephemerals

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Photo credit: Lady Bird Johnson, Bloodworth, Stefan

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Athyrium filix-femina ‘Lady in Red’

Often found near streams and ponds, Lady Fern is a large clustered fern that can reach 3 ft in favorable conditions. The ‘Lady in Red’ cultivar sports bright red stems and light green bipinnate fronds with finely-toothed leaflets, which give it a light, lacy appearance. Perfect for the back of the shade and woodland border, it prefers rich and moist soil, though it tolerates drier conditions than most other ferns. Every few years it can be easily divided in the spring, once the crown has grown above soil level. Lady Fern is not affected by serious pests or diseases, but is not deer resistant.

• Height: 18 - 30”

• Spread: 1.5 - 2.5’

• Pot size: 3 qt.

• Bloom time: Non-flowering

• Light: Part shade, shade

• Moisture: Average

• Attracts: Birds

• Deer Resistance: Yes

• Companion Plants: Yarrow, Solidago cassia, bee balm, coastal Joe Pye weed

Photo: CCE MGV Ginger Hughes

Onoclea sensibilis

Attractive foliage with seed heads that provide winter interest. Spreads slowly forming colonies in ideal conditions with moist soils and room to grow.  

• Height: 12”-18” 

• Spread: 18”-36” 

• Pot size: 3 qt 

• Bloom time: N/A 

• Light: Shade-Part Sun 

• Moisture: Damp-Medium  

• Attracts: N/A 

• Deer resistance: Yes 

• Companion Plants: Showy swamp milkweed,, coastal Joe Pye weed, white turtlehead, pink turtlehead, broad leafed sedge

Photo: Glover Perennials

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Easy to grow in shady moist location. Spreads by runners.

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Pot Size: 3 qt

• Sun: Partial to Shade

• Moisture: Average, Well Drained

• Attracts: Birds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Virginia bluebells, coral bells, American elderberry, red chokeberry

Polystichum acrostichoides

Most common evergreen fern in Northeast, remains green throughout the winter.

• Height: 8-16”

• Pot Size: 3 qt

• Sun: Partial to Shade

• Attracts: Birds

• Deer Resistant: Yes

• Companion Plants: Columbine, Virginia bluebells, blue-stemmed goldenrod,

  foamflower, coral bells