Plants in family dryopteridaceae
Arachniodes standishii 'Mt Daisen'
Arachniodes standishii 'Mt Daisen' is a fern introduced in 2023, forming a tardily deciduous patch of lacy green foliage. It grows up to 18 inches tall and spreads to 3-4 feet wide over ten years, thriving in moist to average soil conditions.
Dryopteris commixta
Dryopteris commixta is an easy-to-grow, evergreen Asian fern known for its shiny, erect, dark green fronds. The black-stemmed croziers unfurl in spring, highlighted at the base by black "fur." This plant reaches 2 feet in length and thrives in light shade. It is ideal for cottage gardens and shaded areas, providing year-round interest with its evergreen foliage. Dryopteris commixta is a versatile addition to any garden, offering texture and color in shaded landscapes.
Phanerophlebia umbonata 'Puerto Purificacion'
Phanerophlebia umbonata 'Puerto Purificacion' is an evergreen fern native to Mexico, forming a compact specimen about 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide. Its olive green leaves are approximately 1 foot long, providing a lush, tropical appearance. This fern is suitable for part sun to shade conditions and is deer resistant, making it a low-maintenance choice for shaded garden areas.
Polystichum setiferum 'Mossy Mama'
Polystichum setiferum 'Mossy Mama' is a unique fern with finely dissected foliage, offering a soft texture ideal for woodland gardens. This sporeling of 'Divisilobum' produces tiny plantlets on its fronds late in the season. It thrives in intense heat and humidity, making it a resilient choice for shaded areas. Its elegant appearance and adaptability to various garden settings make it a standout among evergreen perennials.
Dryopteris bissetiana 'Jinfoshan Giant'
Dryopteris bissetiana 'Jinfoshan Giant' is a semi-evergreen fern with wide green fronds that have a bronze tint. It forms a compact clump about 15 inches tall and 2 feet wide, making it deer-resistant and suitable for shaded gardens. This fern is slow-growing but easy to maintain, originating from spores collected in China's Chongqing Province.
Dryopteris complexa
Dryopteris complexa is a semi-deciduous fern native to Europe and the US, known for its drought tolerance once established. It forms a moderately lacy-textured mound, making it a great companion to the robust female fern. This hybrid of D. affinis and D. filix-mas thrives in part sun to shade and is well-suited for dry shade gardens. Its resilience and adaptability make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add texture to their landscapes.
Dryopteris wallichiana 'Jurassic Gold'
Dryopteris wallichiana 'Jurassic Gold' is a fern with striking golden yellow and green foliage that emerges bright orange in spring. It grows up to 2 feet tall and thrives in shaded, moist environments, making it a vibrant addition to woodland gardens.
Polystichum tsus-simense 'Nan Ping'
Polystichum tsus-simense 'Nan Ping' is a compact evergreen fern with very dark green, leathery foliage. It thrives in lightly shaded gardens and is a beautiful addition to any landscape.
Dryopteris complexa 'Stableri Crisped'
Dryopteris complexa 'Stableri Crisped' is a semi-evergreen hybrid male fern with narrow, medium green fronds and crinkled leaves. It grows to about 2 feet tall and is best used in small groupings. This fern thrives in light shade to full shade and is suitable for dry shade gardens.
Polystichum illyricum
Polystichum illyricum is a European fern hybrid known for its glossy green, plastic-like fronds that can reach 2 feet long. It forms an evergreen clump and is well-suited for light shade environments. This fern's unique texture and resilience make it a charming addition to shaded garden areas.
Dryopteris kinkiensis 'Green Hans'
Dryopteris kinkiensis 'Green Hans' is an evergreen Asian fern with wide, dark green fronds. It forms a 2-foot tall and wide clump and is slow-growing but easy to maintain in evenly moist soil. This deer-resistant fern is ideal for adding lush greenery to shaded garden areas.
Polystichum tsussimense
Polystichum tsussimense is a small, semi-evergreen fern native to Asia, featuring rich green, pinnate foliage and black stems. It forms tight clumps up to 15 inches wide and thrives in part sun to shade, making it ideal for dry shade gardens.
Dryopteris marginalis 'Franklinstein'
Dryopteris marginalis 'Franklinstein' is a dwarf, evergreen fern native to woodlands and rocky slopes. It forms a compact clump 14 inches tall and 20 inches wide, and is drought-tolerant. This fern is well-suited for shade gardens and adds a touch of greenery to dry, shaded areas.
Dryopteris indusiata
Dryopteris indusiata is an evergreen fern native to the subtropical forests of Southern China and Japan. It is a tough addition to woodland gardens, forming mature clumps that reach 18 inches tall and 30 inches wide. The plant's sturdy, dark green fronds are related to those of Dryopteris erythrosora, making it a reliable choice for shaded areas.
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Ping Wu'
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Ping Wu' is an elegant evergreen fern from China, featuring glossy green foliage. It forms a 30-inch tall and wide specimen, thriving in part sun to light shade and well-drained soil.
Dryopteris lacera 'Korean Lace'
Dryopteris lacera 'Korean Lace' is a semi-evergreen Asian fern that forms an 18-inch tall by 30-inch wide clump of lacy green foliage. It grows at elevations between 6,000 and 8,000 feet and is suitable for light shade gardens, adding a touch of elegance with its delicate fronds.
Dryopteris xanthomelas
Dryopteris xanthomelas is an evergreen fern native to the moist valleys of the Himalayas, thriving at elevations of 5,000 to 7,000 feet. It has a slightly lacier appearance than Dryopteris marginalis and prefers rich, moist, compost-laden soil. This fern is heat-tolerant and can thrive as far south as central Texas.
Dryopteris dilatata 'Jimmy Dyce'
Dryopteris dilatata 'Jimmy Dyce' is a deciduous fern with broad, rich-green foliage and an upright, arching growth habit. It reaches a height and spread of 1 foot, making it a great choice for woodland gardens. This fern thrives in part sun to shade and is well-suited for rain gardens and xeriscaping.
Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata'
Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata' is an evergreen fern known for its striking foliage, featuring a wide streak of yellow down the center of each leaf. This 18-inch tall and wide plant is hardy in USDA zone 7, with some reports of success in zone 6. It thrives in shaded areas and is a popular choice for adding color and texture to gardens, particularly in areas with dry shade.
Polystichum munitum
Polystichum munitum, or the western sword fern, is an evergreen native fern that spreads easily and forms upright clumps. It features glossy, leathery fronds and is rabbit and deer-resistant. This fern is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, growing up to 5 feet tall and wide. It prefers partial to full shade and consistently moist soil, making it adaptable to a wide range of conditions.
Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum'
Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum' is a semi-evergreen fern with very dissected foliage and an arching growth habit. It grows larger in the Pacific Northwest and prefers part sun to light shade.
Cyrtomium devexiscapulae 'Wuling Class'
Cyrtomium devexiscapulae 'Wuling Class' is an evergreen fern that forms a 20-inch tall and 3-foot wide clump, perfect for adding texture to shaded garden areas. This plant thrives in light shade with average moisture and is known for its drought tolerance and deer resistance. Its unique foliage and adaptability make it a valuable addition to cottage gardens and living walls, while its origins in China add an exotic touch.
Ctenitis subglandulosa 'Hoshizaki'
Ctenitis subglandulosa 'Hoshizaki' is an evergreen fern native to Asia, forming a compact clump with dark green foliage. It thrives in light shade and slightly acidic conditions.
Dryopteris bissetiana 'Jinfoshan Dwarf'
Dryopteris bissetiana 'Jinfoshan Dwarf' is a semi-evergreen fern with wide green fronds and bronze coloration. It forms a slow-growing 2-foot tall and wide clump, thriving in evenly moist soil.
Polystichum xiphophyllum
Polystichum xiphophyllum is a Chinese fern with an evergreen, symmetrical mound of upright, stiff fronds. The fronds are dark green and about 1 foot long, making it suitable for moist woodland gardens. This fern adds a lush, green texture to shaded areas.
Polystichum neolobatum 'Yu Wa'
Polystichum neolobatum 'Yu Wa' is an evergreen fern collected from China's Yu Wa Valley, forming an 18-inch tall by 2-foot wide clump. It features arching, glossy green foliage and thrives on mild slopes with rich, evenly moist soil.
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Congesta'
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Congesta' is a deciduous male fern ideal for shady rock gardens. It features rigidly upright dark green fronds with narrow pinnae that curl downward, making it a distinctive dwarf slender male fern.
Cyclodium heterodon var. abbreviatum
Cyclodium heterodon var. abbreviatum is a dwarf semi-evergreen fern with a rich history dating back to the Victorian fern craze in England. It forms compact clumps with narrow, upright fronds that have upturned tips, reaching up to 30 inches tall. The fern is deer-resistant and thrives in shaded environments, making it a popular choice for gardens and living walls.