7 Ferns To Grow In 2013

Dryopteris koidzumiana

Koidzuma’s Wood Fern

Advertisement

Dryopteris koidzumiana

CasaFlora

Koidzuma’s wood fern is a new introduction in Casa Flora’s color line. It resembles Dryopteris ‘Autumn Brilliance’ in that its dark-red new growth looks strikingly different from its green mature fronds. Evergreen and hardy in USDA Zones 7 and 8, D. koidzumiana is popular on the West Coast. It performs best in slightly acidic, well-draining and moist soil.

Top Articles
New Survey on Sustainability in U.S. Floriculture Industry

Jeweled Chain Fern

Woodwardia unigemata

Woodwardia unigemmata

CasaFlora

Another new introduction in Casa Flora’s color line, jeweled chain fern has dark burgundy new fronds. Coupled with 3-foot-long mature fonds, this plant makes a statement in the garden. Woodwardia unigemmata is fast and easy in the greenhouse and hardy in Zones 8 to 10.

Athyrium ‘Ghost’

Ahyrium 'Ghost'

Walters Gardens

A cross between the award winning A. ‘Pictum’ and the native Lady Fern A. felix-femina, this selection retains the beautiful silver coloring of the former and a more upright habit like the species. Standing up to 3 feet tall at maturity, it is taller than many athyriums and can handle a slightly drier soil, too.

 

Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Matteuccia struthiopteris

Walters Gardens

This popular, showy fern is one of the largest hardy ferns available, standing a full 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. Its majestic green fronds are shaped like ostrich plumes, widest at the top with a graceful, upright arching form. This is a rapidly spreading fern, which colonizes by underground runners. It prefers cool, moist soil and open shade.

 

Athyrium ‘Burgundy Lace’

Athyrium 'Burgundy Lace'

Terra Nova Nurseries

This fern boasts metallic burgundy and silver leaves that are brightest in the spring. When grown in the shade, this athyrium variety brightens a dark corner. It also looks great with hostas and other bold shade plants in the landscape. ‘Burgundy Lace’ grows 24 inches high and spreads 28 inches. It grows best in partial  to full shade in Zones 4 to 9.

 

Athyrium ‘Dre’s Dagger’

Athyrium 'Dre's Dagger'

Terra Nova Nurseries

 

Much like ‘Burgundy Lace,’ this athyrium variety also grows well in Zones 4 to 9 in shade or part shade. The foliage features slim, contrasting red stems that are unusually crisscrossed and come to a narrow point, terminating with a small crest. The crests continue to grow throughout the season.

 

Athyrium ‘Lady in Lace’

Athyrium 'Lady In Lace'

Terra Nova Nurseries

A shade-loving fern, ‘Lady in Lace’ has dark, dense, frilly foliage. This very hardy fern is perfect for containers or as a small specimen. It grows to 14 inches in height and spreads 12 inches. It grows best in Zones 4 to 9.

0