Plants in family dryopteridaceae
Dryopteris championii
Dryopteris championii is a fern with dark green, glossy, arching fronds that can reach nearly 3 feet long. It is an evergreen plant with upright old fronds in winter and is deer-resistant. This vigorous clump-former is suitable for shaded areas and adds a lush, green presence to gardens.
Dryopteris carthusiana
Dryopteris carthusiana, commonly known as narrow buckler-fern or spinulose woodfern, is a sub-evergreen plant native to damp forests in the Holarctic Kingdom. It is a tetraploid of hybrid origin, distinguished by its fine-textured, arching fronds that form a deciduous clump. This fern is adaptable to various environments, thriving in swamps and moist woodlands globally. Its resilience and adaptability make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and attractive fern for shaded areas.
Dryopteris formosana
Dryopteris formosana is a fern native to China, Taiwan, and Japan, forming an 18-inch tall by 30-inch wide evergreen clump. It features airy-textured, deep green fronds that widen at the base with downward-turning pinnules.
Cyrtomium fortunei
Cyrtomium fortunei, or the evergreen holly fern, is recognized for its taller, more open form and bold textured foliage. Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it is the hardiest of the bold tropical textured ferns. Its dull olive drab foliage is similar to C. falcatum, making it a resilient choice for shaded garden areas.
Dryopteris celsa
Dryopteris celsa is a rare North American native fern, a hybrid between Dryopteris ludoviciana and Dryopteris goldiana. It has an upright and rotund growth habit with large, coarse, dark green, semi-evergreen fronds. This fern is tolerant of dry sites but prefers damp conditions, making it ideal for swamps and wet woodlands.
Polystichum aculeatum
Polystichum aculeatum is an evergreen fern native to Europe, particularly abundant in the British Isles and western France. It features glossy dark green fronds and is an indicator of ancient woodlands. This fern prefers damp, alkaline soils and has received the Award of Garden Merit.
Dryopteris hondoensis
Dryopteris hondoensis is an evergreen fern native to the moist woodlands of Japan, known for its lacily cut foliage. It forms a vigorous 3-foot wide clump, with new growth displaying a striking red color. This fern's airy fronds add a textural element to woodland gardens. It is an apogamous triploid, meaning it can reproduce without fertilization, and is appreciated for its unique reproductive capabilities.
Dryopteris intermedia
Dryopteris intermedia, also known as the intermediate wood fern, is a perennial evergreen native to eastern North America. It features bipinnately compound fronds that grow in a spiral-like arrangement from an underground rhizome. This fern thrives in moist woodland locations and is known for its ability to hybridize with other wood ferns.
Polystichum polyblepharum
Polystichum polyblepharum is a striking evergreen fern known for its dark, lacily-cut fronds that form a deer-resistant clump about 2 feet wide. This plant, native to Japan and South Korea, thrives in rich, well-drained soil and can tolerate dry conditions but not waterlogged soils or full sun. Its unique name, meaning 'many eyelashes,' reflects the intricate texture of its fronds. It provides excellent textural contrast in woodland gardens and maintains its beauty throughout winter. Awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it is a reliable choice for shaded or dappled shade areas.
Bolbitis heteroclita
Bolbitis heteroclita, also known as Asian Water Fern, is an aquatic fern native to Southeast Asia. It is popular in aquariums for its resemblance to Java Fern and thrives in soft, acidic water with low light. This slow-growing fern can be attached to driftwood or rocks.
Elaphoglossum eximium
Elaphoglossum eximium is a tropical plant with elegant, elongated fronds and a striking dark green color. Its compact size and neat growth habit make it suitable for terrariums or small spaces. This plant requires proper care and humidity to thrive, making it a unique addition to collections of tropical plants.
Elaphoglossum crinitum
Elaphoglossum crinitum is a tropical plant with long, slender fronds and distinctive fringed edges. Its vibrant green color and graceful appearance make it a popular choice for adding a touch of the tropics to gardens or indoor spaces. This plant thrives in humid environments and is often used in tropical-themed landscapes.
Dryopteris uniformis
Dryopteris uniformis is an Asian native fern that forms a medium-sized clump of erect dark evergreen fronds. It thrives in the mountainous woodlands of China, Japan, and Korea. This fern is well-suited for dry shade and can be a beautiful addition to shade gardens. Its evergreen nature provides year-round interest, and it is a great choice for xeriscaping. The plant's tidy growth habit makes it an excellent choice for woodland gardens or as a groundcover.
Dryopteris fructuosa
Dryopteris fructuosa is a high-elevation fern from the Himalayas, forming a 2-foot tall upright clump. This plant thrives in shaded areas and is well-suited for gardens that mimic its native mountainous environment.
Dryopteris clintoniana
Dryopteris clintoniana is a fertile hybrid fern native to the northern hemisphere, resulting from a cross between Dryopteris cristata and Dryopteris goldieana. It forms a 3-foot tall clump of dark green evergreen foliage and thrives in slightly moist to average woodland garden conditions. This fern is a resilient addition to shade gardens.
Dryopteris varia
Dryopteris varia is a semi-evergreen fern native to parts of Asia, including China and Japan. It features fronds that emerge with a bronze coloration and is slow-growing, thriving in evenly moist soil. This fern is easy to grow and adds a touch of elegance to shaded garden areas.
Rumohra adiantiformis
Rumohra adiantiformis, native to South Africa, is a deciduous fern with shiny triangular leaves. It adapts well to garden conditions and is used in corsages and floral arrangements. This plant can survive temperatures as low as 0 degrees F with slight foliage burn and is economically important in Brazil for floristry.
Dryopteris crassirhizoma
Dryopteris crassirhizoma is a handsome fern with a vase-like shape, growing up to 3 feet tall and wide. Its fronds are narrowly divided and remain green throughout winter, giving it a semi-evergreen appearance. This fern is deer-resistant and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is suitable for shade gardens and can thrive in both dry and wet conditions.
Dryopteris decipiens
Dryopteris decipiens is an evergreen fern native to South Central China and Japan, known for its red-flushed new growth in spring. This winter-hardy plant is suitable for USDA zones 6a to 8b and thrives in light shade. It is a deer-resistant choice for gardens, providing year-round interest with its lush green foliage.
Arachniodes standishii
Arachniodes standishii, known as the upside-down fern, features lacy, cutleaf fronds that can reach 18 inches in length. This tardily deciduous fern remains fresh into the new year and prefers lightly shady locations with average moisture. Over time, it forms clumps that can spread 3-4 feet wide, making it a striking addition to shaded garden areas.
Dryopteris lepidopoda
Dryopteris lepidopoda is a fern from western China and Taiwan, known for its new fronds that emerge reddish-orange. It forms an evergreen clump about 2 feet tall and wide, with olive green foliage atop hairy black stipes.
Dryopteris cycadina
Dryopteris cycadina, also known as the shaggy shield fern, is a medium-sized, semi-evergreen fern native to northern India, China, Taiwan, and Japan. It features dark-green, heavily textured foliage with a distinctive black stipe, making it a striking addition to woodland gardens. This fern grows to about 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide, thriving in part sun to shade. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental value.
Dryopteris wallichiana
Dryopteris wallichiana, commonly known as the alpine wood fern, is a semi-evergreen fern native to the Himalayas, Hawaii, Mexico, and Jamaica. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, with pale green fronds and dark brown ribs. Named after botanist Nathaniel Wallich, this fern is prized for its beauty and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It thrives in cool summer sites and is a stunning addition to shaded gardens.
Cyrtomium caryotideum
Cyrtomium caryotideum is an Asian fern with foliage similar to a Caryota palm leaf. It features olive drab foliage with very large pinnae and forms a 3-foot wide mound. This evergreen, deer-resistant plant is a unique choice for shaded gardens.
Dryopteris dilatata
Dryopteris dilatata is a fern that forms a 2-foot wide clump with heavily dissected fronds about 1 foot long. Its airy texture makes it a popular choice for shaded garden areas.
Dryopteris ludoviciana
Dryopteris ludoviciana, native to the southern United States, is a semi-evergreen fern with shiny, leathery fronds. It grows tall and upright, reaching 30-48 inches, and thrives in moist areas, although it tolerates dry conditions. This fern is hardy in USDA zones 5-10 and is an excellent choice for adding architectural interest to gardens.
Dryopteris goldieana
Dryopteris goldieana, commonly known as Goldie's wood fern, is the largest native North American Dryopteris species. It features fronds that can reach up to 6 feet tall and thrives in moist, acidic woodland gardens. This drought-tolerant fern is commonly found in rich woods, ravines, and swamps, and is known for its thick-textured leaves and dark brown to black scales on the stipe.
Bolbitis heudelotii
Bolbitis heudelotii, also known as African water fern, is an aquatic fern native to the tropics of West Africa. It features dark green, pinnate leaves and can be grown submerged or emersed. This slow-growing plant prefers low to moderate lighting and a neutral pH range, making it suitable for aquariums. Its rhizomatous growth habit allows it to attach to wood or rock, adding a natural touch to aquatic environments.
Elaphoglossum metallicum
Elaphoglossum metallicum is an iridescent fern from Peru with hard, glossy fronds and furry golden rhizomes. It is suitable for high humidity environments like terrariums.
Dryopteris namegatae
Dryopteris namegatae is a Japanese fern with a sturdy, evergreen clump of dark green arching foliage. It is possibly a hybrid between Dryopteris atrata and Dryopteris dickinsii, making it a unique addition to shaded garden areas.