FERNS
Adiantum capillus-veneris \ Southern Maidenhair Fern
(ad-eh-ANN-tum ka-PILL-us VEN-ehr-us)
Texas Native This Texas native grows in a fountain formation with fan-shaped leaflets providing a lacy-airy appearance. Grows ½-1' tall with a 1-3' spread. Prefers alkaline, but tolerates acid soils. Quick grower. May go dormant in extreme cold or drought. Bright filtered light to shade. Zones 7-11.
Arachnoides simplicior variegata \ East Indian Holly Fern
Evergreen fern with yellow variegation reaching a height of 12-14. Nice accent and can be used as a potted plant or perennial. Zones 7-10.
Asparagus densiflorus 'Myersii' \ Foxtail Fern
Stiff stems grow to 2' long, 2-3" in diameter gradually tapering to the tips. Foliage is dark green, creating soft ferny cylinders. Overall size grows 2-3' tall and as wide. Part sun, in good garden soil. Zone 9.
Athyrium nipponicum Pictum \ Japanese Painted Fern
(a-THI-ree-um nip-ON-ik-um)
Feathery, medium-sized fronds, 8-20 high and 6 wide. Perennial with red, burgundy, green and silver colors. A deciduous fern that is rather delicate, but has new fronds emerging all summer. Very hardy and easy to grow. Zone 4. 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Cyrtomium falcatum \ Japanese Holly Fern
(ser-TOE-mee-um fal-KAY-tum)
Semi-evergreen fern, handsome, coarse textured, growing 2-3 tall. Large leathery, glossy, deep green fronds form beautiful vase-like crowns. Most widely sold of the holly ferns. Tolerant of drier climates and likes a little more fertilizer than other ferns. Prefers light shade in neutral soil, but will tolerate lime soil. Zones 6-10.
Dryopteris erythrosora \ Autumn Fern
(dree-OP-te-ris e-rith-roe-SO-ra)
An evergreen fern reaching 1-2. Preferring acidic soil in light shade. Young fronds are bronze, then turn green. Remains vertical all winter. Zone 5.
Dryopteris marginalis \ Eastern Wood Fern
Native to U.S. eastern coast, this evergreen has leathery, dark green leaves, 2-4' in height. Spreads slowly by rhizomes. Best in woodland garden conditions, moist, well drained soil, with shade to part shade. Zones 3-8.
Matteuccia struthiopteris \ Ostrich Fern
A clump-forming, upright to arching deciduous fern displaying a feathery appearance of long ostrich plumes. Height 3-6' with a spread of 5-8'. Part to full shade. Can handle medium to wet water conditions, similar to wooded river bottoms and swamps. Zone 3
Osmunda cinnamomea \ Cinnamon Fern
΅Texas Native΅ Growing in a vase shape habit, young fronds are bright green turning to rich cinnamon brown. For best results plant in moist, acidic soil in shade to part shade. Grows 2-3' tall. Zone 3.
Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis \ Royal Fern, Regal Fern
΅Texas Native΅ New pale green fronds develop in spring and resemble Astilbe flowers. Foliage turns golden green in fall. Grows 2-3' tall. Best in evenly moist soil. Goes dormant October to March, but soil should be kept moist while the plants sleep. Zones 2-10.
Polystichum acrostichoides \ Christmas Fern
΅Texas Native΅ Evergreen good for shady wooded areas. Needs moist soil with good drainage. Grows 18-24 tall. Zone 4.
Polystichum polyblepharum \ Tassel Fern
(pah-LIS-ti-kum pah-lee-BLEF-ar-um)
Beautiful shiny, dark green, dense lacy foliage. Semi-evergreen, 24 in height. New growth resembles tassels. Good plant for shade gardens. Plant in slightly acidic soil with consistent moisture. Zones 5-8.
Selaginella moellendorffii \ Gemmiferous Spikemoss
Fronds have tightly overlapping segments similar in appearance to red cedar and rise with an arching erect manner from creeping rhizomes. Mature color of dark green takes on a beautiful russet color in winter. Grows 5" tall with a 1' spread in dappled to full shade with ample moisture. Zone 7.
Selaginella pallescens \ False Arborvitae Fern
(sel-ah-ji-NEL-ah pah-LES-enz)
Very attractive winter hardy fern. Upright stems, with the upper half much branched. Broadly triangular in outline, with flat, fan-like, bright green foliage. Grows to 12 tall. Zones 7-9.
Selaginella uncinata \ Peacock Spikemoss
Semi-evergreen with straw colored stems and metallic blue leaves resembling miniature fern. Grows 6" in height with 2' long rambling stems. Great for hanging baskets or ground cover. Shade, rich moist soil. One of the Unusual! Zone 6.
Thelypteris kunthii \ Southern Wood Fern
(thuh-LIP-tare-iss KUN-thee-eye)
΅Texas Native΅ Grows 2-3 in height with graceful fronds. Spreads by rhizomes. Useful groundcover in shady, moist areas. Dormant in winter. Prune dead fronds just before new growth in early spring. Zone 7.
