Ferns

Did you know? Some ferns are among the world's most serious weed species, including the bracken fern growing in the British highlands, or the mosquito fern. The stereotypic image of ferns growing in moist shady woodland nooks is far from being a complete picture of the habitats where ferns can be found growing.

Tree ferns are found growing in tropical and subtropical areas, including cool to temperate rainforests in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Lord Howe Island, and other island groups nearby; a few genera extend further, such as Culcita in southern Europe. Like all ferns, tree ferns reproduce by means of spores developed in sporangia on the undersides of the fronds.

Most staghorn ferns are considered tender or semi-tender to cold and will not tolerate cold temperatures. Eighteen species are presently recognized along with many varieties and hybrids.

While ferns are soft, horsetails are rough plants and even have silica. They are also able to live in a variety of climates as long as it is moist.

The leaves of ferns are called fronds and provide the primary ornamental feature of the plants. On ferns commonly used in landscaping, they generally are finely divided and delicate in appearance.

Ferns are wonderful plants that require little care and are almost impossible to kill even with kindness.

Christmas Fern The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and has a moderately dense crown. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen (green at Christmas time as the common name suggests) fronds. Stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas.

Christmas Fern Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen (green at Christmas time as the common name suggests) fronds. This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and has a moderately dense crown.

Cinnamon Fern The Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnamonea, occurs in moist, boggy ground along streams and on shaded ledges and grows in clumps to 2'-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 5' in height. The common name of Cinnamon ferns is in reference to the cinnamon colored fibers found near the fronds base. Osumunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the roots of these ferns. This fern is used in container plantings, rock gardens, borders, specimen plants and as ground cover. Cinnamon ferns do not have flowers or blooms. This plant tolerates flooding and will grow in wet submerged soils.

Royal Fern Royal Ferns typically grows in clumps to 2-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 6' in height. The broad fronds have large, well-separated pinnae (leaflets) which give this fern an almost pea-family appearance. Fronds typically turn yellow to brown in autumn. The Royal Fern is also known as the Flowering Fern and is deciduous. The Royal Fern is an excellent selection for wet areas along ponds, streams, water gardens or in bogs. It also grows well in shaded borders, woodland gardens, wild gardens or native plant gardens.