The classic evergreen fern found growing in the understory all up and down the West Coast, the Western Sword Fern is an easy to grow perennial that can withstand a variety of soils and sunlight conditions. It gets its name from the long, sword-like fronds that many of us grew up having botanical sword fights with at summer camp. Deer resistant and rather drought resistant once established. A perfect understory plant.

Latin Name: Polystichum munitum
Site and Soil: Full to 1/2 day sun to almost full shade and well-drained soil. Plants are very drought resistant once they are established.
Pollination Requirements:  Self-fertile.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 30° F.
Size at Maturity: 12-24 inches in height
Pests & Diseases: We have not seen this plant be bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 4-8

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The deer fern is one of our favorite Pacific Northwest Natives. With is beautiful elegant evergreen foliage and strikingly textured fertile fronds it is an easy, low maintenance fern to throw in the shade garden for added texture. Deer Ferns grow all along the west coast from Alaska down to Northern California and prefer some shade, acidic soil and soils high in organic matter though they are adaptable to many different soils types and solar aspects to an extent. Deer fern deserves to be more widely planted in our cultivated landscapes!

Latin Name: Blechnum spicant
Site and Soil: Full to 1/2 day sun to almost full shade and well-drained soil. Plants are very drought resistant once they are established.
Pollination Requirements:  Self-fertile.
Hardiness: Deer is hardy to minus 30° F.
Size at Maturity: 12-24 inches in height
Pests & Diseases: We have not seen this plant be bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 4-8

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The Northern Maidenhair Fern, a northeast native fern, is one of the most stunning of any fern species you’ll ever come across. An elegant crown of feathery leaves is held a foot or so above the ground on slender bluish black stems and as the cool summer breeze causes the foliage to wave in the wind it is easy to see why this fern was named maidenhair. A truly stunning addition to the shade garden. Plant in cool, moist soil in shade to part shade. Plants will grow 1.5 to 2 feet tall and form a slowly spreading clump via underground rhizomes.

Latin Name: Adiantum pedatum
Site and Soil: Maidenhair Fern likes partial shade and cool moist soil.
Pollination Requirements: No pollination is required
Hardiness: hardy to minus 40 F.
Size at Maturity: 1-2.5 ft. in height by 2 feet wide
Pests & Diseases: Maidenhair Fern is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3

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From 11,000 feet high in the Himalaya Mountains comes one of the greatest cultivated fern species, the Himalayan Maidenhair Fern ! This surprisingly cold hardy maidenhair fern is evergreen and quite tough given how dainty and elegant it looks. Although it can tolerate a fair bit of cold, it despises long hot summers, so be sure to water well or place in a very shady location if you live in a place with very hot summers. Himalayan Maidenhair Fern grows to about 12 inches high and spreads to form a nice clumping and easily managed ground cover. They are slow to establish but are very tough once established.

Latin Name: Adantium venustum
Site and Soil: Himalayan Maidenhair likes partial shade and cool moist soil.
Pollination Requirements: No pollination is required
Hardiness: Ostich Fern is hardy to minus 40 F.
Size at Maturity: 12 inches high and spreading as a groundcover
Pests & Diseases: Himalayan Maidenhair Fern is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 5-9

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