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American Maidenhair Fern
The American maidenhair fern is a deciduous, clump-forming fern which typically grows 1.5 to 2' tall and is most frequently found on rich wooded slopes, ravine bottoms and damp shady woods. Features finely-textured, somewhat frilly fronds which have curved stalks and are palmately-divided (i.e., fronds divide into finger-like projections). Wiry stems are reddish-brown to black. Crosiers (coiled young fiddleheads) emerge pink in spring.
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Christmas Fern
The Christmas fern occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. 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. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape. Does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time.
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Cinnamon Fern
Cinnamon ferns occurs in moist, boggy ground along streams and on shaded ledges and bluffs. Typically grows in clumps to 2-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 5' in height. Separate spore-bearing, stiff, fertile fronds appear in early spring, quickly turning brown. The familiar "fiddleheads" also emerge from the base of the plant and unfurl into large, erect, pinnately-compound, yellowish-green, sterile fronds (2-4' long) which remain attractive throughout the summer and turn yellow in autumn. The common name of this plant is in reference to the cinnamon colored fibers found near the frond bases. Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the roots of these ferns.
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Ebony Spleenwort Fern
Ebony spleenwort is an evergreen fern which typically grows to 15" tall and occurs on rocky wooded ledges, rocky slopes and mossy banks. Arching, pinnate, somewhat glossy, dark green sterile fronds. Erect fertile fronds. Central stipe (stem) is dark purplish brown. Common name of spleenwort refers to purported medicinal value once attributed to the plant. Plant in dryish, rocky, shady areas of rock gardens (will grow in rocky crevices), native plant gardens or woodland areas.
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Hayscented Fern
Hayscented fern is very common. It can be identified by its lacy, light-green fronds that feel very slightly sticky to the touch. It often grows in large colonies and, forming a carpet. When the leaves are bruised they smell like fresh mown hay, hence the name. It is an agressive spreader and is a very popular garden fern.
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Leatherwood Fern
The Leatherwood fern or Marginal shield fern is an evergreen fern which typically forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump to 1.5-2' (infrequently to 3') tall. This is a woodland fern which is most often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds (15-20" long). Sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, hence the common name. Rhizome forms an erect crown. Evergreen fronds provide good interest to the winter landscape.
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Royal Fern
Royal fern is a tall, deciduous fern which usually occurs on moist bluffs and ledges and along streams (sometimes growing in the water). Typically grows in clumps to 2-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 6' in height. 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. Spores are located in brown, tassel-like, fertile clusters at the tips of the fronds, thus giving rise to the additional common name of flowering fern for this plant. Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the fibrous roots of these ferns. Excellent selection for wet areas along ponds, streams, water gardens or in bogs. Also grows well in shaded borders, woodland gardens, wild gardens or native plant gardens.
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Sensitive Fern
Sensitive fern is a large, somewhat coarse deciduous fern which occurs in wet woods and thickets and in moist soils along streams and springs. Grows up to 4' tall. Features long-stalked, deeply pinnatifid, bright green, vegetative (sterile) fronds (2-4' long) with leathery, triangular leaflets (pinnae) which have distinctively netted veins. Shorter, erect, woody-like fertile fronds (to 12" tall), whose ultimate divisions are bead-like segments, typically brown up in late summer and persist throughout the remaining season and winter. Commonly called sensitive fern because the green vegetative fronds are sensitive to and suffer almost immediate damage from the first fall frost. Also sensitive to drought. Best in wet woodland gardens and moist locations along streams and ponds. Also appropriate for shaded areas of a native plant garden or naturalized planting. Foliage may depreciate as summer progresses in hot climates, particularly if soils are not kept moist.
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Southern Lady Fern
The Lady fern or Red Stem fern has a feathery texture frond with a red stem. It is a slow spreading fern, which will make a nice mass in a few years. The southern lady fern thrives in the garden, given any reasonably good soil and will make a dense stand over time. The leaves turn bronze in the fall and then dark brown over the winter. It prefers to have it's feet wet.
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Toothwood Fern
Delightful lacy, the Toothed wood fern has true fern foliage of rich, deep green. Long triangular fronds made of hundreds of tiny leaflets spray up and out in whorls. Semi-evergreen. Whether it is used as a border or a background, it will enhance any garden with its gracefulness. This fern is easy to grow almost anywhere and thrives even when other plants fail.
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