Native and Ornamental Ferns
With fronds like these, who needs anenomes? This diverse group of plants is well adapted to shady areas of the garden to contrast coarser textures, or used in the restoration of native habitats. Deciduous unless otherwise noted.
Sold in 4" (10 cm) pots only. For our native species, we collect spores and propagate from Central Ontario sources for added hardiness.
Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern)
Athyrium felix-femina (Lady Fern)
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' (Japanese Painted Fern)
Cystopteris bulbifera (Berry Bladder Fern)
Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)
Companions for Ferns
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum
Also called northern maidenhair fern, five-finger fern
Height 18-24 inches (50-60 cm)
Spread 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Evenly moist soils
Soil Humus-rich, alkaline to slightly acidic
Current observed North American range (iNaturalist.ca)
This distinctive native fern is common throughout eastern Canada and New England in our rich, moist deciduous woodlands. The dissected, light green fronds splay out horizontally like a hand, atop 1-2' black wiry stems that unfurl in spring. Particularly well adapted to alkaline soils, it makes a graceful statement amongst limestone boulders, on treed slopes, massed in the shade garden or near a water feature. Works well with hostas, bergenias, foamflower, and other coarsely-textured shade plants. Gradually expands from short rhizomes.
Recommendations for growing Maidenhair Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. This fern does not like to dry out so consistently moist hollows or dishes on slopes are a good place to plant into; shelter from the wind. Mix in compost and peat moss on sandy soils, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch thinly (about 1" deep) or crown rot may occur. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells or the plant may go dormant. If shade becomes too dense, established patches can be invigorated by thinning tree branches above to allow in more light. No ongoing maintenance is required.
A mature block of 4" pots in production.
Maidenhair fern contrasts well with false Solomon's seal, here seen at Niagara Parks Botanical Garden.
A mature 4" plant emerging in spring.
A mature block of 4" pots in production.
Well-rooted mature plants are ready to ship here in the hoophouse.
A combination of textures surrounding a mature lady fern specimen. Photo by Allan Armitage 2005.
We take time and care in sizing up our baby plants.
Well-rooted mature plants are ready to ship here in the hoophouse.
Lady Fern
Athyrium felix-femina
Height 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Spread 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Moist to wet soils
Soil Humus-rich, adaptable
Current observed North American range (iNaturalist.ca)
This quintessential fern is one of the most useful ground cover ferns for its ability to create lush, tropical-looking backdrops for the shade garden. Also one of the most widely distributed and adaptable, so long as the soil is sufficiently moist and moderately fertile. Can tolerate more sun if consistently damp or the occasional drought, sending up new fronds at the next rain. Spreading slowly by rhizomes, the twice-divided fronds appear lacy at a distance, and works well with jack-in-the-pulpit, native lilies, iris, plumbago, foamflower and bellwort. Interestingly, lady fern and its many genetic mutations were the foundation for much of the Victorian-era Fern Craze; hybrids between lady fern and Japanese painted fern have produced beautiful cultivars, such as Athyrium 'Ghost'.
Recommendations for growing Lady Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. This fern is more adaptable than it looks, but consisent moisture and partial shade will keep it looking fresh all summer. Shelter from wind. Mix in compost and peat moss on lighter soils, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch thinly (about 1" deep) or crown rot may occur. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. No ongoing maintenance is required.
Mature fronds with spectacular colour spring to fall.
Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Height 12 inches (30 cm)
Spread 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
Hardiness Zones 4-9
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Average to moist
Soil Humus-rich, adaptable
This beautiful little fern won the 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year distinction for its striking foliage and lady fern-like adaptable nature and is still a knockout. More clump-forming than spreading, it can be used in small masses or clumped throughout a shady moist garden, in a sheltered nook of a rock garden or along a watercourse. Best in spots with morning or late afternoon sun; strong mid-day sun can burn these vividly coloured fronds in the heat of the summer.
Recommendations for growing Painted Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. This fern is more adaptable than it looks, but consistent moisture and partial shade will keep it looking fresh all summer. Shelter from wind. Mix in compost and peat moss on lighter soils, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch thinly (about 1" deep) or crown rot may occur. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. No ongoing maintenance is required.
A mature tray of 15 x 4" pots ready for landscape use.
A mature pot with bulblets beginning to germinate. Extra plants!
We began propagating bulblet fern from the dappled damp shade of this cedar bush on our property.
A mature tray of 15 x 4" pots ready for landscape use.
Berry Bladder Fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
Also called bulblet fern, fragile fern
Height 12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Spread 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Moist to wet
Soil Humus-rich, neutral to alkaline
Current observed North American range (iNaturalist.ca)
This fern should be used more often given its ability to light up a shady corner and its love of boulders, cracks and crevices in dolomitic limestone, and alkaline soils. The light green upright fronds emerge in spring with bright red petioles, and mature fronds develop bulbils underneath. These drop to the ground, producing new plants and growing the colony where suitable spots exist. It naturalizes hardscapes and water features quickly and blends well with other native and non-aggressive edging plants.
Recommendations for growing Berry Bladder Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. This fern prefers consistently wet soils to look its best. It can tolerate seepage areas at the base of cliffs and ravines. Unique plant to set into boulder pockets with rich soil. Mix in compost and peat moss on lighter soils, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch thinly (about 1" deep) or crown rot may occur. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. Minor weeding of bulblets may be necessary but are not hard to remove.
Marginal wood fern is a great evergreen fern for drier sites. Photo by Allan Armitage 2008.
Marginal Wood Fern
Dryopteris marginalis
Also called marginal shield fern
Height 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Spread 24-30 inches (30-60 cm)
Foliage Evergreen
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Average (tolerating dry periods in summer) to moist
Soil Humus-rich, acidic to neutral
Current observed North American range (iNaturalist.ca)
We are excited to offer another tough evergreen fern, with the added bonus of tolerating drier, shallow soils than most species here. New fronds in spring unfurl a vivid green with fuzzy brown petioles, foliage darkening to a handsome leathery bluish-green mid-summer. A polite clump-former, it makes a beautiful addition to a perennial border, shady rock garden or can be tucked into soil pockets in around hardscapes and boulders. Low-maintenance once established.
Recommendations for growing Marginal Wood Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. This evergreen fern can tolerate drier, shallower soils and tree root competition well once established. For lushest growth, mix in compost and peat moss on lighter soils, and cultivate compacted clay soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch thinly (about 1" deep) or crown rot may occur. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. Old foliage may be desirable to remove but can be left to compost.
This patch of ostrich fern in our bush has grown thicker every year. We love fiddleheads!
A ready-to-go example with rhizomes ready to spread to fill a landscaped area.
Beautiful in their own right, and mulched with the previous season's leaves.
This patch of ostrich fern in our bush has grown thicker every year. We love fiddleheads!
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris, syn. M. var. pensylvanica
Height 36-48 inches (90-120 cm)
Spread 24-36 inches (60-90 cm)
Light Light shade to full shade
Moisture Evenly moist soils
Soil Humus-rich, adaptable
Current observed range in North America (iNaturalist.ca)
This stately fern is well-known for its easy care, and edible fiddleheads. It can withstand more sunlight than most ferns (given there is enough water) and the occasional summer drought once established. Fertile fronds provide winter interest. It spreads by thick rhizomes and can colonize a large area in a couple years, so do not interplant timid perennials with it. Works for foundation plantings, on cool north walls, low spots of poorer drainage or around natural or man-made water courses.
Recommendations for growing Ostrich Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. This fern is adaptable, but consistent moisture and partial shade will keep it looking fresh all summer. Shelter from wind or leaves get ratty. Mix in compost and peat moss on lighter soils, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch 2" deep. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. Maintenance of established patches may include trimming of old foliage (makes great mulch in-place) and containing rhizomes from nearby plantings.
Sensitive Fern with Rhododendrons. Photo by Allan Armitage.
Early spring shoots and dew on our 4" pot production. Now produced from Ontario spore.
Sensitive fern mixes well with bigroot geranium in the foreground under a striped maple. Photo from New York Botanical Garden.
Sensitive Fern with Rhododendrons. Photo by Allan Armitage.
Sensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilis
Also called bead fern
Height 12-36 inches (30-90 cm)
Spread 60-120 inches (60-120 cm)
Light Part shade to full shade best; full sun if consistently wet
Moisture Moist to wet
Soil Humus-rich, acidic to slightly alkaline
Current observed range in North American (iNaturalist.ca)
We are excited to offer another useful native fern, particularly for rain gardens, bioswales, and coarse texture in the shade garden. New fronds in spring unfurl to a soft, medium green colour and beaded fertile fronds appear in mid-summer lasting long into winter. Deer and rabbit resistant. Spreads at a moderate rate by rhizomes but is not aggressive and often held back by moisture. Can intermingle with other bog plants. Low-maintenance once established.
Recommendations for growing Sensitive Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. Slightly acidic soils, consistent moisture, and partial shade will keep this fern looking fresh all summer. Shelter from the wind. Mix in compost and peat moss, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch 1-2" deep. Water well during the first year of establishment and hot spells. Crowns may go dormant in extended droughts. No ongoing maintenance required except containing rhizomes from other plantings.
A typical landscape-ready 4" pot of Cinnamon Fern in spring.
Dramatic planting under trees with rhododendrons, indicative of more acidic soils. Photo by Allan Armitage.
The ferns grow quickly in a moist, shaded hoophouse; this block is ready to ship.
A typical landscape-ready 4" pot of Cinnamon Fern in spring.
Cinnamon Fern
syn. Osmunda cinnamomea; acc. Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Height 36-48 inches (90-120 cm)
Spread 24-48 inches (60-120 cm)
Fall colour Golden yellow
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Moist to wet
Soil Humus-rich, neutral to acidic
Current observed range in North America (iNaturalist.ca)
A striking native fern with a bright green rosette of sterile leaves reaching 3-4' high and arching outwards, following by distinctive orange “flower” spikes in summer. Leaves turn golden yellow in fall and fertile fronds give winter interest. Better adapted to rich acidic soils and deep shade; great for naturalizing, shaded bog gardens, and along shorelines. Spreads slowly by rhizomes.
Recommendations for growing Cinnamon Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. Slightly acidic soils, consistent moisture and partial shade will keep this fern looking fresh all summer. Shelter from wind. Mix in compost and peat moss, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch 1-2" deep. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. No ongoing maintenance required except containing rhizomes from other plantings.
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) spore-bearing frond in the wild, almost ready for harvesting spore.
Royal Fern spore seen under a 800x microscope
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) spore-bearing frond in the wild, almost ready for harvesting spore.
Royal Fern
Osmunda regalis, syn. Osmunda spectabilis or var. spectabilies
Height 3-5 feet (1-1.5 meters)
Spread 2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Fall colour Golden yellow
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Moist to swampy
Soil Humus-rich, neutral to acidic
Current observed range in North America (iNaturalist.ca)
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A new addition in 2021, we are producing this spore from local sources to the nursery. This fern stands out for its easily-recognizable and large bipinnately compound leaves, each up to 1 metre in length at maturity. Fertile "flowering" heads turn from green to rust cinnamon after shedding early summer. This fern is best used in shady, pond-side landscapes or rain gardens with additional peat or thoroughly rooted wood mixed in.
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Recommendations for growing Royal Fern
Native woodland/muck soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. Slightly acidic soils, consistent moisture and partial shade will keep this fern looking fresh all summer. Shelter from wind. Mix in compost and peat moss, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch 1-2" deep. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. No ongoing maintenance required except containing rhizomes from other plantings.
4" pots ready for landscape or potting up
An impressive landscape in the waiting.
We sometimes cut back our pots to refresh the foliage; spring flush is beautiful.
4" pots ready for landscape or potting up
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
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Height 20-24 inches (50-60 cm)
Spread 24-30 inches (60-75 cm)
Foliage Evergreen
Light Part shade to full shade
Moisture Average to moist
Soil Humus-rich, neutral to acidic
Current observed range in North America (iNaturalist)
A hardy and widespread native fern, often praised as the best evergreen fern choice for any garden east of the Mississippi. Easy to grow and maintain, Christmas fern is adaptable to drier slopes than most ferns (only Marginal Wood Fern beats it from our list. It is at home under sugar maple and beech, or clumped amongst limestone boulders. Silvery grey fiddleheads emerge early in spring in a spectacular flush. Mixes well with other native woodland plants, smaller grasses and ferns, especially those that go dormant in summer.
Recommendations for growing Christmas Fern
Native woodland soil with lots of well-composted organic matter is good for ferns. Slightly acidic soils, average moisture and partial shade will keep this fern looking fresh all summer. Shelter from wind. Mix in compost and peat moss, and cultivate compacted soils before planting. Plant at crown height and mulch 1-2" deep. Water well during the first year of establishment and during hot spells. No ongoing maintenance required
Companions for Ferns
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Asarum canadense (Canadian Wild Ginger)
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Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)*
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Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry)
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Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen)
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Viola labradorica 'Purpurea' (Labrador Violet)
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Hemerocallis (Daylily)* in part shade
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Hosta (Plantain Lily)
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Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' (Creeping Jenny)*
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Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge)*
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Vinca minor (Periwinkle, Myrtle)*
* in containeornamental plantings, not native woodlots or ravines