Shelley I have picked out from my journal notes species that will do well in
your climate zone. If you can find someone in your climate zone that grows
ferns they can be more specific to your zone. Some I have marked as
evergreen in my zone may be deciduous in yours. Please note these are notes
and please excuse my punctuation and spelling or grammatical errors, I
haven't done rewrites on this yet. Hope this helps.'
To propagate inexpensively for your area, collect spores from the wild (with
permission of course!) friend's gardens and for species not growing wild,
buy one plant and propagate from that to increase your supply. If you know
where some plants are that are in an area that is going to be developed you
might be able to get permission to rescue the ferns or any other native
plants before they are destroyed in the developement. Small plants started
in small pots you should not have trouble digging in amongst the tree roots,
large rescued plants might be harder to dig in if roots of trees are thick.
I haven't had luck personally from planting spores directly to the ground,
but you might have luck with it. Someone else might be able to help here. I
have growing amongst my ferns in the woods some hardy cyclamin that looks
wonderful fall, winter and spring. You might take a look at that plant, a
few bulbs (or corms?) of them will spread over time and are beautiful!
Ferns
Note: Lengthes refer to length of fronds not neccessarily height of plant,
zones are USDA zones not Sunset zones.
Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern) Zones 3-8
Delicate looking with bright green fronds with purple stems. Prefers shade
and humousy, well drained soil, but moist conditions.
Deciduous
Athyrium varieties all are deciduous and thrive in partial shade.
Zones 3-8
A. felix-femina (Lady Fern)
Tolerates some what dry soils. Fronds are 12 to 20 inches.
A. goeringianum 'Pictum' (Japanese Painted Fern)
Gray silver stripe on green fronds, burgundy stems, will tolerate
competitive conditions.
This is one of my favorite non-native species. The foliage is wonderful in a
shady spot, brightening up the area with it's lacy foliage and wonderful colors.
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hay-scented Fern) Zones 2-8
20 - 32" long , delicate looking and fragrant when crushed. This is native
all over North America. Can be invasive, in a small garden, better suited
for large areas. Likes moisture.
Deciduous
I have this in the wilder parts of my garden and let it stay, but it can be
a problem in other areas if not kept in check.
Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Shield Fern, Leather Wood Fern) Zone 3
15 - 20 inches A native in North America also. Very easy fern to grow. Likes
light shade and moisture.
Evergreen
I have not grown this one, but it's on my list of plants to get.
Matteuccia pensylvanica (Ostrich Fern) Zones 3/4 - 8
3-5 feet A native fern that grows wild on moist wooded slopes and in swamps.
Likes soil surface damp.
Deciduous
I did not have much luck with this under the cedar trees, it did better when
moved out away from the trees. Once moved and established in open shade, it
survived the summer droughts just fine in rich, humous soil and mulched. The
new growing tips are called fiddleheads and are said to be tasty. Have not
tried this myself, maybe someday, when my Ostriches lay eggs <--Joke) and
increase.
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) Zones 4-8
This fern is interesting year round. Can be invasive but easy to control. In
late summer it sends up stalks with spore buds. These turn brown and last
through winter.
Osmunda varieties Zones 3-8
O. cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)
This is one of the most interesting ferns with it's coloring and the
cinnamon like fronds it sends up. 3' tall but in my NW garden it is 2' tall.
Likes acid soil, moisture and shady sites. I would rate this up at the top
for beauty and interest.
Deciduous
O. regalis spectabilis (Royal Fern)
5 feet A native species that enjoys natural woodland settings and drier
conditions.
Deciduous
Polypodium virginianum (Rock Polypody, American Wall Fern) Zones 3-8
Low growing can be used as a ground cover. Partial shade and likes well
drained soil.
Evergreen
This one I have debated about and might end up with hasn't made the list to
get, yet.
Polystichum varieties Evergreen and does well in damp, shady places where
soil is rich in humus.
Zones 3-8
P. acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)
2 feet Can take more sun than other ferns
P. braunii (Sheild Fern, Braun's Holly Fern)
2-3 feet tall Likes cool, moist, deeply shaded soil and needs extra water
during hot weather.
Thelypteris varieties
T. hexagonoptera (Beech Fern) Zones 3-9
10 -24 inches Spreads rapidly in rich moist areas and prefers shade.
T. novboracensis (New York Fern) Zones 2-8
12 -24 inches
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