Evergreen ferns are a great addition to any garden, offering year-round greenery and visual interest even during the off-season. These fascinating plants are hardy and can thrive in various environments, from damp to dry conditions. They are perfect for creating a foundation in planting designs, especially in shade gardens with low sunlight. Some varieties of evergreen ferns can even grow in full shade, making them versatile for spots like east-facing gardens with low light. Over 350 million years of evolution have allowed ferns to remain unchanged and adaptable from when they helped produce oxygen for life to today.
These plants add texture, and their light green foliage brings a refreshing touch to shady areas. At the same time, their low-maintenance nature makes them easy to care for. They can be cut back in winter, removing old fronds and allowing the new fronds to unfurl in the spring. With some species surviving temperatures as low as -15°C, evergreen ferns are perfect for regions with harsh winters. Many of these ferns have earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, attesting to their resilience and appeal.
Can ferns be evergreen?
Yes, ferns can be evergreen. Unlike deciduous ferns, which lose leaves during the dormant period, evergreen ferns retain leaves throughout the year, keeping your garden vibrant even in the off-season. These ferns are adapted to environments where there is a consistent temperature and moisture level. This allow them to continue photosynthesizing even when other plants are dormant. Their ability to keep their leaves makes them a great choice for year-round interest in the garden.
On the other hand, deciduous ferns lose their foliage at the end of the growing season and rest until the following spring. However, evergreen ferns do not go through this cycle and remain lush throughout the year, offering continuous greenery and texture to the landscape.
When to Plant Evergreen Ferns
The best times to plant evergreen ferns are in spring and fall, as these seasons provide the ideal conditions for root growth and establishment. During spring, the mild temperatures and increased rainfall help the ferns settle into the soil. This gives them enough time to establish their roots before the winter cold sets in. Suppose you’re in a region with mild winters. In that case, fall is also an excellent time to plant. As the soil is still warm, allowing the roots to establish before the cold weather arrives.
In areas with harsher winters, spring is the most suitable time. It offers the ferns a chance to acclimate and adjust to the environment with access to moisture from spring rains and consistent watering before the hotter weather arrives. However, avoid planting during a dry period, as the ferns need consistent moisture for successful growth.
Best Hardy Evergreen Ferns
Rumohra adiantiformis (Leatherleaf Fern)
Rumohra adiantiformis, also known as the Leatherleaf Fern, is native to tropical regions like southern Africa and Madagascar. This fern stands out with its leathery, dark green leaves, which give it a lush, tropical appearance. It’s an excellent choice for adding a tropical feel to your garden or home. Leatherleaf Fern is instrumental in filling floral arrangements, adding texture and contrast.
Known for being low-maintenance, this fern thrives in low-light conditions, making it an ideal indoor plant. It requires minimal care, needing only occasional watering and misting. When grown outdoors, it prefers moist, humid environments and partial shade. It’s also adaptable to various soils, including sand and heavy clay, as long as they are well-draining. Rumohra adiantiformis can be propagated from rhizomes or spores, making it easy to grow and share.
Polypodium vulgare (Common Polypody)
Polypodium vulgare, or the common polypody, is a native British fern that thrives in well-drained damp to dry conditions. It’s often seen growing on old dry stone walls, forest floors, and the mossy branches of big old trees. Where it showcases its resilience in harsh environments. This fern grows well in full sun or dappled shade and spreads through horizontal rhizomes, allowing it to cover large areas over time.
Polypodium vulgare is an excellent option for pots and containers, providing evergreen greenery with minimal care. It is also drought-tolerant, making it perfect for low-maintenance displays. Pair it with sempervivums and drought-tolerant grasses for an easy-to-care-for garden feature that adds beauty and texture year-round.
Polystichum polyblepharum (Japanese Lace Fern)
Polystichum polyblepharum, also known as the Japanese lace fern or tassel fern, is a stunning plant native to Japan and South Korea. This fern is recognizable by its unique bristles on the frond stems, referred to as polyblepharum or many eyelashes. New fronds emerge with golden ginger hair-like scales in spring, creating an eye-catching display. As the fronds unfurl, they form a distinctive shuttle-cock shape that persists through summer and autumn.
This fern thrives in a well-drained, shady spot and is perfect for rock gardens or ground cover. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-8, and with its low maintenance needs, it’s a great addition to any garden. Polystichum polyblepharum adapts well to a variety of growing conditions, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to add a resilient yet beautiful fern to their landscape.
Austroblechnum penna-marina (Antarctic Hard-Fern)
Austroblechnum penna-marina, also known as Blechnum penna-marina or the alpine water fern, is native to the Magellanic subpolar forests in Chile and Argentina, as well as the Araucanía Region near the South Pole. This hardy evergreen fern grows in poorly drained, shady sites and is well-suited for damp conditions. Its delicate, finely divided leaves give it a lacy appearance, and it can reach up to 30 cm in length.
Known for its low-maintenance nature, Austroblechnum penna-marina thrives in water gardens or aquaria, serving as shelter and food for aquatic wildlife. This fern is drought-tolerant, though it may appear to die back during dry periods, only to bounce back with fresh green growth after a water period. It is hardy in USDA zones 7-9. It can be propagated from rhizomes or spores, making it an adaptable and attractive option for gardens in cooler climates.
Struthiopteris spicant (Hard-Fern)
Struthiopteris spicant, also known as Blechnum spicant, is a native British fern that thrives in the northern hemisphere. This hard fern is often found in ancient woodlands and hedgerows of the UK, making it a great addition to gardens with a more natural feel. It grows well in damp spots with moist soil rich in organic matter and can also adapt to open, sunny sites when given enough moisture for its roots.
The plant is dimorphic, meaning it produces two types of fronds: the sterile fronds are long and flat, while the fertile fronds are narrower and grow upright from the center of the plant. This fern is ideal for those looking for a hardy addition to their garden, mainly used on walls or as ground cover.
Osmunda Regalis (Royal Fern)
Osmunda Regalis, or royal fern, is a hardy native to North America. Known for its large, evergreen leaves, it adds a dramatic flair to any shady garden or moist soil area. This fern is an excellent choice for landscaping, often used for its cut foliage in floral arrangements.
It thrives in damp, shady gardens and is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it adaptable to various climates. Royal fern prefers rich, moist soil and can be used to create a lush, green space that stays vibrant throughout the year, even in the colder months.
Dryopteris erythrosora (Copper Shield Fern)
The Dryopteris erythrosora, also known as the Japanese or copper shield fern, is an eye-catching fern native to East Asia. It flourishes in lightly shady woodlands, but it can also tolerate full sun and shade with the right moisture conditions. The young fronds of this fern are coppery-pink, giving it a unique look in spring, while older fronds mature into a more subtle green.
The fern has a charisma all its own, with the pinky-orange crosiers (the coiled young fronds) creating fabulous crosier crowns. Regularly cutting back the old foliage in late winter allows new fronds to emerge, keeping this fern looking fresh all year round. It thrives in damp semi-shade and is perfect for those looking for a hardy, low-maintenance fern to add to their garden.
Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern)
Dryopteris filix-mas, also known as the Male Fern, is a native fern found in Europe. Its deep green color and lance-shaped leaves make it an excellent choice for shady gardens where the soil is well-drained.
This fern is a great option for USDA zones 4-8 gardens, offering an evergreen presence even during the colder months. It thrives in shaded areas and provides lush green foliage throughout the year, making it a solid choice for adding texture and depth to your landscape.
Parablechnum cordatum (Chilean Hard Fern)
The Parablechnum cordatum, also known as Blechnum chilense or Chilean hard fern, is a unique fern with a thick, firm texture to its foliage, which resembles cow’s rib (Costilla de vaca). This architectural fern grows up to 1.2m tall. It creates a robust evergreen thicket in boggy spots, particularly in full or partial shade.
It’s adaptable and can spread through its rhizomes, making it perfect for ground cover or as a striking feature plant. It’s ideal for adding a dramatic look to shaded areas where other plants may not thrive.
Cyrtomium falcatum (Holly Fern)
Cyrtomium falcatum, or Holly Fern, is a native fern from Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Known for its glossy, leathery leaves with sharply pointed tips, this fern creates a clump of dark green fronds that grow between 30-60 cm (12-24 inches) tall.
Holly Fern is perfect for shade gardens, woodland gardens, or shaded walkways, and it is known for being low maintenance and adaptable to various soil conditions, including sand and heavy clay. It thrives in deep shade or light-dappled shade. It is also drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for garden water conservation.
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Final Observations
Several hardy evergreen ferns make beautiful additions to gardens, offering year-round greenery. Rumohra adiantiformis (Leatherleaf Fern) thrives in low light and humid environments, perfect for indoor and outdoor settings. Polypodium vulgare (Common Polypody) is excellent for damp or dry areas, drought-tolerant, and spreads quickly in full sun or dappled shade. For a unique look, the Polystichum polyblepharum (Japanese Lace Fern) brings golden scales and a shuttle-cock shape in shaded spots. Finally, the Austroblechnum penna-marina (Antarctic Hard-Fern) is a low-maintenance fern perfect for damp and shady sites, thriving in cooler climates and offering a lacy appearance in water gardens. These ferns add texture, resilience, and beauty, making them ideal choices for diverse gardens.
FAQs
Q- What is the best evergreen fern?
The best evergreen fern depends on your needs. Still, Rumohra adiantiformis (Leatherleaf Fern) and Polystichum polyblepharum (Japanese Lace Fern) are highly recommended for their hardiness and low maintenance.
Q- Which fern survives winter?
Hardy evergreen ferns, like Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern) and Osmunda Regalis (Royal Fern), can survive through winter in USDA zones 3-9.
Q- What fern looks like an evergreen?
Many ferns, such as the Polystichum polyblepharum (Japanese Lace Fern), have evergreen qualities, keeping their lush green foliage throughout the year.
Q- Can ferns survive in full sun?
Some ferns, like Polypodium vulgare (Common Polypody), can survive in full sun. Still, many prefer partial shade or dappled light for optimal growth.
Q- Do ferns stay green in winter?
Yes, evergreen ferns stay green in winter, providing year-round texture and interest, even in colder months.
Q- Are Ferns Considered Evergreen?
Some ferns, like Dryopteris erythrosora (Copper Shield Fern), are considered evergreen, meaning they retain foliage throughout the year.
Q- Do You Cut Back Evergreen Ferns?
Yes, evergreen ferns can be cut back in late winter to remove old, faded fronds and make way for fresh growth in spring.
