Plants in family dryopteridaceae
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 remota
Dryopteris remota is a semi-evergreen fern hybrid, ideal for woodland gardens with its lacy light green foliage and gold-scaled stipe. It is a cross between Dryopteris affinis and Dryopteris expansa, offering a clumping habit that is deer resistant and suitable for part sun to shade conditions.
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.
Polystichum luctuosum
Polystichum luctuosum is a compact fern native to East Asia, forming a 1-foot tall evergreen clump with finely divided, silvery-green fronds. It prefers slightly moist to average soil moisture and grows well in part sun to shaded conditions. This fern is awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
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.
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.
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 scottii
Dryopteris scottii is a fern native to China, known for its rounded lobes on light green evergreen fronds. It has a bold appearance, making it a striking addition to woodland gardens. This fern thrives in light shade to full shade and is suitable for rain gardens and xeriscaping. Its evergreen nature provides year-round interest in the garden.
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.
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.
Polystichum dycei
Polystichum dycei is a robust-growing fern hybrid known for its deer-resistant clumps. It produces new plants at the end of its fronds through proliferation, making it a unique addition to shaded garden areas.
Dryopteris dickinsii 'Crispa'
Dryopteris dickinsii 'Crispa' is a delightful fern native to regions from India to Taiwan. It forms a 15-inch tall by 2-foot wide rosette of evergreen foliage with ruffled leaves. This fern is easy to cultivate under a wide range of conditions and is found along watercourses at elevations of 3,000 to 8,000 feet. Its evergreen nature and unique leaf texture make it a popular choice for shade gardens.
Dryopteris pseudofilix-mas
Dryopteris pseudofilix-mas is a robust garden fern native to Mexico and Guatemala, known for its large, semi-evergreen fronds that persist until spring. It is easy to grow and produces new fronds throughout the season, making it a versatile choice for shaded or partially sunny areas.
Polystichum retrosopaleaceum
Polystichum retrosopaleaceum is an easy-to-grow evergreen fern native to Japan, characterized by its glossy, dark green fronds that narrow toward the base. It thrives in moist, woodland garden settings, adding a lush, natural feel to shaded areas.
Cyrtomium falcatum 'Plasticity'
Cyrtomium falcatum 'Plasticity' is a 2011 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction, known for its foliage that feels like thick plastic. This fern grows 1 foot tall by 2 feet wide and is similar in size and shape to Cyrtomium falcatum. It thrives in part sun to light shade and is suitable for dry shade gardens. Its unique texture and adaptability make it a fascinating choice for fern enthusiasts and garden collectors.
Dryopteris tavelii
Dryopteris tavelii is a hybrid fern that forms a deciduous clump similar to its parent species, D. filix-mas. This fern is well-suited for shaded areas and can thrive in both dry and moist conditions. Its European origins make it a versatile addition to gardens seeking a touch of classic fern foliage.
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata Martindale'
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata Martindale' is a deciduous male fern known for its easy growth and unique fronds that end in tiny crests. It forms clumps 2 to 3 feet wide, making it a striking addition to moist woodland gardens. This fern was discovered during the Victorian fern craze and serves as a stunning accent alongside hostas and lighter foliage. It thrives in part sun to shade and is resistant to rabbits, making it a low-maintenance choice for shade gardens.