Ferns

Beautiful Fern Plants for Shady Gardens, Woodland Borders & Lush Greenery

Ferns are among the most elegant and versatile foliage plants, prized for their graceful fronds, rich green colours and ability to bring texture and structure to shady areas of the garden. With their delicate, architectural appearance, ferns create a lush, natural atmosphere and are particularly well suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, sheltered courtyards and areas beneath trees.

Available in a wonderful variety of shapes, sizes and foliage colours, ferns range from compact, low-growing varieties to impressive architectural specimens. Their attractive fronds can be finely divided, feathery, glossy or boldly structured, providing interest and contrast alongside other shade-loving plants.

Many fern varieties are evergreen or semi-evergreen, offering valuable foliage throughout the colder months, while deciduous varieties produce beautiful fresh growth each spring. Whether you're creating a traditional woodland garden, a contemporary shaded planting scheme or simply looking to add greenery to a difficult corner, ferns are an excellent choice.

Why Choose Ferns?

Ferns are highly valued for their attractive foliage, versatility and ability to thrive in areas where many flowering plants struggle. Their natural beauty makes them ideal for creating soft, layered planting schemes with year-round interest.

Key benefits include:

• Beautiful, decorative foliage in a variety of shapes and textures

• Excellent for shady and partially shaded gardens

• Evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous varieties available

• Ideal for woodland gardens, borders and underplanting

• Perfect for adding texture and architectural interest

• Low-maintenance once established in suitable conditions

• Excellent companions for other shade-loving perennials

• Suitable varieties for containers, courtyards and smaller gardens

• Hardy varieties available for UK gardens

Popular Types of Ferns

Ferns offer an impressive range of foliage styles, growth habits and sizes, making them suitable for both traditional and contemporary gardens.

Dryopteris (Male Fern & Wood Fern)

Dryopteris is a popular group of hardy ferns, admired for its attractive, arching fronds and reliable performance. Many varieties form substantial clumps, making them excellent for woodland borders, shaded planting schemes and naturalistic gardens.

Polystichum (Shield Fern)

Polystichum ferns are particularly valued for their elegant, often evergreen foliage. Their finely divided fronds create attractive year-round structure and work beautifully in shaded borders, beneath trees and alongside other woodland plants.

Athyrium (Lady Fern)

Athyrium ferns are known for their delicate, feathery foliage and graceful appearance. Some varieties display striking silver, purple or burgundy tones, providing additional colour and contrast within shaded planting schemes.

Asplenium (Hart's Tongue Fern)

Asplenium includes distinctive varieties with glossy, strap-shaped fronds that provide a bold contrast to more finely divided ferns. Particularly effective in sheltered, shady positions, they are ideal for woodland gardens, containers and contemporary planting schemes.

Matteuccia (Shuttlecock Fern)

Matteuccia is admired for its striking upright fronds, which form an elegant shuttlecock shape. Its architectural appearance makes it particularly effective in moist woodland gardens and larger shaded borders where it has room to spread.

Where to Plant Ferns

Ferns are incredibly versatile and can be used throughout the garden to create attractive foliage displays and soften difficult planting areas.

Shady Borders

Ferns are ideal for bringing life and texture to shaded borders, particularly where flowering plants may struggle. Their decorative foliage creates a lush backdrop and provides attractive contrast throughout the growing season.

Woodland Gardens

Ferns are a natural choice for woodland-style planting schemes. Their graceful fronds complement trees, shrubs and other shade-loving plants, helping to create a relaxed, established appearance.

Underplanting Trees & Shrubs

Many fern varieties are well suited to planting beneath trees and larger shrubs, provided there is sufficient moisture and suitable soil. They help fill gaps and create attractive layers of foliage.

Containers & Courtyards

Compact and evergreen ferns can make excellent container plants, bringing texture and greenery to sheltered patios, courtyards and shaded entrances.

Contemporary Gardens

The architectural foliage of ferns makes them equally effective in modern garden designs. Their clean shapes and contrasting textures work beautifully alongside stone, gravel, paving and structured planting.

How to Grow & Care for Ferns

Ferns are generally easy to maintain when planted in conditions suited to their individual requirements. Although many prefer shade and moisture-retentive soil, some varieties are more tolerant of drier conditions once established.

Planting Position: Most ferns prefer partial or full shade, particularly in sheltered locations away from strong, drying winds. Some varieties will tolerate more sunlight if sufficient moisture is available.

Soil Requirements: Ferns generally thrive in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Many prefer moisture-retentive conditions, although good drainage is important to prevent waterlogging.

Watering: Water regularly during the establishment period, particularly throughout dry weather. Ferns growing beneath trees may require additional watering due to competition from surrounding roots.

Mulching: Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base helps retain moisture, improve soil structure and protect the roots from temperature extremes.

Pruning & Maintenance: Remove damaged, tired or dead fronds as required to maintain a tidy appearance. Deciduous ferns can be cleared of old foliage in late winter or early spring before fresh growth emerges.

Winter Care: Many hardy ferns cope well with UK winters. Evergreen varieties provide continued structure, while deciduous ferns naturally die back before producing fresh fronds in spring.

Ferns for Different Garden Styles

Ferns are particularly effective when combined with other shade-loving plants, allowing you to create beautiful, layered planting schemes.

For a traditional woodland garden, combine ferns with Hostas, Astilbes, Brunnera and Hellebores to create a rich mixture of foliage textures and seasonal flowers.

For a contemporary garden, use evergreen ferns alongside ornamental grasses, clipped evergreen shrubs and architectural plants to create contrast and year-round structure.

In smaller gardens, compact fern varieties can be planted in groups or containers to provide attractive greenery without overwhelming the available space.

Whether planted individually as architectural features or in larger groups for a natural woodland effect, ferns offer endless opportunities for creative garden design.

Buy Ferns Online at Grasslands Nursery

At Grasslands Nursery, we offer a selection of beautiful fern plants suitable for a wide range of garden styles and growing conditions. From delicate, finely divided foliage to bold architectural varieties, ferns are an excellent way to introduce texture, greenery and natural elegance into your outdoor space.

Whether you're creating a woodland retreat, filling a shaded border or looking for attractive foliage plants to complement your existing garden, our range of ferns offers something for gardens of all sizes.

Explore our range of Ferns online at Grasslands Nursery and discover the perfect plants to bring texture, structure and lush greenery to your garden.