Ferns may not be the showiest of garden plants but they must surely be admired for being one of the earliest plant groups that developed true leaves on stems; rising above the mosses and liverworts to subsequently colonise our planet. They have been going strong ever since. Ferns are tough and their design has been so well honed through adaptation that most do not feel the need to change any more. They are as close to horticultural perfection as possible. The Victorians certainly loved them, but by the start of the 20th century the nation’s love-affair with the fern was on the wane.
These days, however, they are popular again, with a new fernery planned for the courtyard of the Royal College of Art and lovingly restored ferneries re-opening across the country. It’s about time. At this time of year the fresh, green newly unfurling fronds are full of hope and are one of my favourite sights in the garden. Their mature fronds form a filigree textural layer to the garden (most are a shade of green but some have silvery grey, red or coppery brown foliage) and most are perfectly happy by themselves or playing the support role as the best foliage foil for flowering plants. Although most prefer moist (not boggy) soil in shade, there are some that like dry shade too.
The best ferns
For moist, well-drained soil
Matteuccia struthiopteris. The shuttlecock fern. A majestic fern that looks fabulous in spring when its fresh green fronds appear. They unfurl into a very upright form that looks particularly good when planted en masse. Needs plenty of moisture. Height up to 1.5m, spread 45cm.
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Dryopteris filix-mas ‘Crispa Cristata’ Male fern. An unusual variety with distinctive crested, mid-green fronds forming a shuttlecock shape. An excellent companion for shade-loving woodland plants. Height 60cm, spread 50cm.
Polystichum polyblepharum-Japanese Tassel fern. Broadly arching light green and glossy lance-shaped fronds, which darken with age. Mature plants can be very attractive in early spring when the new fronds begin to unfurl. Later in the year the tips of the frond are covered in masses of a light golden hairs, hence its common name. Height 45-60cm.
Polystichum setiferum ‘Plumosomultilobum’. The soft shield fern. This one is particularly soft, perfect for textural planting in the dappled shade of trees and shrubs. Cut back the old foliage late winter to reveal the new growth and any spring bulbs planted alongside. Height up to 1.2m and spread 90cm.
Athyrium niponicum ‘pictum’. Japanese painted fern. This is a lovely, delicate looking fern which needs some protection so does well in courtyard and town gardens. It has silvery white and purple tones in its deeply cut, fine fronds, which are held on almost black stems and will spread and fill out if happy. Height 0.3m and spread approx. 1m #
Other good ferns for moist soil. Osmunda regalis, Woodwardia areolata.
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Ferns for dry shade
Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart’s tongue fern). Glossy evergreen wavy-edged leaves unfurl in spring and last all year. This is a very useful native fern that works in a variety of settings and alongside many other plants. May need watering at first but once established it can tolerate drier conditions. Height 75cm, spread 60cm.
Dryopteris wallichiana. Shuttlecock-like fronds appear in spring on hairy stems. It’s a little like the matteuccia, perhaps not as fine looking, but is far tougher and can cope with being planted under deciduous trees. Height 1m, spread 1.5m.
Polypodium vulgare. An extremely tough native evergreen fern that will grow pretty much anywhere, including dry shade. It’ll even thrive in holes in walls or large cracks in paving as long as there’s some shade. Simple leathery, dark green fronds appear later in the year than other ferns. Height 35cm, spread 1m.
Fern Suppliers fernatix.co.uk