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By any stretch of the imagination, Colorado cannot be considered a fern lover's paradise.  However, many of have a shady side of the house that we have amended well and planted with Hostas, Lungworts, and other shade lovers that can survive with average watering. Ferns are among the oldest known plants, if they were all as delicate as we think they are, they would never have survived until modern times.  Relocated in the house or garden, they adapt themselves to their new surroundings, adding needed texture to our shade gardens. 

FERN Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum' Japanese Painted Fern Perennial of the Year 2004! This is one of the most popular cultivated ferns. The fronds are silvery gray, almost metallic, with a purplish red flush. The stems and midribs are a dark maroon-purple. Together with the soft, feathery texture, the combination is spectacular. Grow it in part shade or shade in evenly moist soil for the loveliest effect.

FERN Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ Autumn Fern This selected form of autumn fern has brighter red new growth than what is typically seen with spore-grown plants. Frankly, all autumn ferns have great color when the new fronds emerge from the evergreen clump, so this is really something special. Autumn fern is a very easy-to-grow fern making a 2' wide clump that is tolerant of a wide range of garden conditions, including extreme drought, once established.

FERN Dryopteris filix-mas ‘Parsley’ Male Fern This new introduction was discovered in the US as a sporeling with a particularly congested form and occasional crinkled fronds. When fully grown, expect a 18" tall x 2' wide deciduous clump...very attractive.

FERN Dryopteris pseudo-filix-mas Mexican Male Fern A vigorous fully hardy fern from Mexico. Large upright good looking fern.

FERN Dryopteris x australis Dixie Wood Fern The growth habit is dramatically upright with large, coarse, dark green, semi-evergreen fronds...reminiscent of a giant Christmas fern plugged into an electrical outlet! This is a very structural fern for the moist woodland garden, eventually making a clump 4'+ tall x 2' wide. Although it is very tolerant of dry sites, a nice damp piece of ground will really produce spectacular results.

FERN Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich fern A beautiful vase of fronds suggest verdant ostrich feathers. Semi-rigid fronds can reach 4 feet long and 10 inches wide. Vivid, bright grass green coloring turns to yellow in late fall. Winter produces a clump of fertile fronds. Plants spread via underground rhizomes into colonies over time. Perfectly suited to natural woodland or use for shaded foundation planting. Herbaceous. Part shade, with tolerance for full morning sun in the far north, shade elsewhere. Moderate to fast growth to about 3 to 5 feet tall, 18 to 24 inches wide.

Page Last Updated 03/21/2008