you are here: ferns reference guide

Adiantum

Adiantum pedatum
Maidenhair Fern

(Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS. 1992.
Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.)

Height: 18-24"
Spread: 18-24"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Delicate, airy fronds. Needs shady, moist areas.
Works well in shaded rock gardens or rock walls. Deciduous.

4022

Athyrium

Athyrium filix-femina
Lady Fern

Height: 2-3'
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Lacy, bright green fronds. Grows in shade or partial shade.
Prefers moist soil, but will tolerate some dryness. Deciduous.

4120

Athyrium filix-femina 'Dre's Dagger'
Dre's Dagger Lady Fern

Height: 12"
Spread: 30-36"
Zone: 4
Light Requirement: shade

Very unusual fronds with small, spike-like pinnae.
Deciduous.

4013

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae'
Tatting Fern

Height: 12-18"
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Distinctive looking, narrow fronds on which the
pinnae are rolled up into little beads.  Unusual
and highly sought after. Deciduous.

4204

Athyrium filix-forma 'Lady In Red'
Lady in Red Painted Fern

Height: 30"
Spread: 24"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Lacy green fronds with a distinctive burgundy
stripe running up the center of the frond.

4915

Athyrium nipponicum 'Burgundy Lace'
Burgundy Lace Painted Fern

Height: 18"
Spread: 24"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Silvery fronds with a burgundy stripe running
up the center of each leaf.  Very showy!

4734

Athyrium nipponicum ‘Metallicum’
'Metallicum' Japanese Painted Fern

Height: 18"
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Bluish green leaves with silver variegation. Wine-red stems.
Grows slightly smaller than ‘Pictum’. Deciduous.

4119

Athyrium nipponicum  ‘Pictum’
Japanese Painted Fern

Height: 20"
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Bluish green leaves with silver variegation. Deciduous.

4121

Athyrium x. 'Ghost'
Ghost Fern

Height:  24-36"
Spread: 24"
Zone: 3
Light Requirements: shade

A cross between 'Japanese Painted Fern' and 'Lady Fern',
'Ghost' has silvery upright fronds and is simply STUNNING!

4930

Dryopteris

Dryopteris crispa-cristata
Shield Fern

Height: 18-24"
Spread: 24"
Zone: 2
Light Requirements: shade

Bright green fronds brighten up a shady corner.

4315

Dryopteris erythrosora
Autumn Fern

Height: 24"
Spread: 24"
Zone: 5
Light Requirement: shade, part shade

Bronze shiny fronds in the spring turn into dark green. Nice fall color.

4313

Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliant'
Brilliant Fern

Height: 24"
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 5
Light Requirement: shade

New fronds of shiny orange-bronze contrast
nicely with the dark green older fronds.
Prefers some sun for best color.

5861

Dryopteris marginalis
Leatherwood Fern

©Thomas G. Barnes. Barnes, T.G. & S.W. Francis. 2004.
Wildflowers and ferns of Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky.

Height: 18"
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Dark green, evergreen foliage. Best in moist, rich soil.

4314

Matteuccia

Matteuccia pennsylvanica
Ostrich Fern

Height: 3-5'
Spread: 3-4'
Zone: 2
Light Requirement: shade/sun

Tall, feathery bright green fronds. Needs moisture and rich soil.

5133

Matteuccia struthiopteris
Ostrich Fern

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS. 1995
Northeast National Technical Center, Chester, PA.
Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.

Height: 3-4'
Spread: 3
Zone: 5
Light Requirements: shade

Fluffy, apple-green fronds make this an attractive
addition to any shade garden. A different look than M. pennsylvanicum.

5596

Osmunda

Osmunda cinnamomea
Cinnamon Fern

(Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991
South National Technical Center, Fort Worth, TX.
Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.)
(additional image)

Height: 2-4'
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Adaptable fern with light green fronds.
Grows anywhere with ample moisture.

5158

Osmunda claytoniana
Clayton Fern

(©J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC.
USDA ARS National Arboretum, Washington, D.C. June 13, 2002.)

Height: 36"
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Coarsely textured medium green leaves.

5159

Osmunda regalis
Royal Fern

(©Thomas G. Barnes. Barnes, T.G. & S.W. Francis. 2004.
University Press of Kentucky)

Height: 2-4'
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 4
Light Requirement: shade

Unusual fern with simple, light green fronds. Prefers moist areas.

5160

Polystichum

Polystichum acrostichoides
Christmas Fern

(©J.S. Peterson. USDA NRCS NPDC.
USDA ARS National Arboretum, Washington, D.C. June 13, 2002)

Height: 2-3'
Spread: 24-30"
Zone: 3
Light Requirement: shade

Dark green, leathery fronds. Evergreen.

5317

Polystichum polyblepharum
Japanese Tassle Fern

Height: 30"
Spread: 24"
Zone: 5
Light Requirements: shade

Shiny, dark green fronds look great all summer long.

5578

top

We'd love to hear from you! 

Mail, fax or email to:
7679 Worthington Road
Galena, Ohio 43021
Phone: 614-891-9348
Fax: 614-891-1002

Send mail to acornfarms@acornfarms.com
with questions or comments about this web site.

Copyright © 2003-2007. Acorn Farms.com  All Rights Reserved.