Hardy evergreen ground ferns
Ferns can help create a tropical exotic looking garden. These evergreen ferns will provide year round greenery and are great for planting under larger plants and filling those difficult dark shady spots.
Ferns for sale
There are a number of specialist growers with ferns for sale online where you are buying direct from the grower or independent garden centre. A number of these supply through Amazon offering large fern plants for sale as well as smaller and plug plant ferns.
Coppers, pinks and reds on new growth
Most ground ferns are various shades of green but there are a few types that produce other colours on new frond growth. The types of colour available are usually in the pinks to reds range and so can provide additional colour especially in the colder months when fewer plants are in flower.
Ferns generally love moist soil and shade
The types of condition they thrive in tend to be shade to partial shade and generally moist soil but you can find ones that will tolerate dry spots. You will find that they are not troubled much by pests or diseases so in that respect are quite low maintenance. This makes them suited to being grown in shady spots where most other plants will become leggy and struggle.
DRYOPTERIS LEPIDOPODA, THE SUNSET FERN WITH ORANGE, PINKISH RED NEW FOLIAGE.Take a look at some of the types of fern you can grow in the UK
Dryopteris lepidopoda
Similar to the Autumn Fern but with more triangular and glossier fronds. Reportedly hardy to -10°C and should remain evergreen in all but the worst UK winters.
D.lepidopoda will remain quite a small fern keeping to under 50cm and suits a partially shady moist soil. Ideal for for a shady spot under other larger plants as it’s new growth colour will brighten up the area. New growth occurs through summer and not just in spring.
DRYOPTERIS ERYTHROSORA OR THE AUTUMN FERN DISPLAYS COPPERY NEW GROWTH.Dryopteris erythrosora
Also known as the Autumn fern, Rosy fern and Copper shield fern are more or less evergreen in the UK. The nice thing about this little fern is that the new fronds are often a coppery pink colour as they emerge.
Erythrosora can grow to about a metre in height and have fronds up to about 60cm in length. It’s relatively easy to grow in shade or full sun as long as the soil stays moist.
HART’S TONGUE FERN IS AN UNUSUAL LOOKING IN THAT IT DOESN’T LOOK MUCH LIKE A FERN.Asplenium scolopendrium
The Hart’s Tongue fern is evergreen in the UK and provides year round interest and also happens to be a native. It can produce fronds to about 75cm but the plant itself stays about 50cm in height. This unusual looking fern also loves shade.
If you’re looking for something a little smaller and with ruffled serrations then the variety Angustifolia is an interesting alternative.
SMALL BULBILS FORM ALONG THE FROND, HENCE THE NAME JEWELLED CHAIN FERN.Woodwardia unigemmata
Also known as the Jewelled Chain fern is well worth growing. It is an evergreen so will remain with fronds all year round, reported to manage as low as -15°C. It can produce fronds of up to 2 metres in length and grow to the same height. As a bonus the new fronds appear as a red colour making an interesting foliage plant.
Woodwardia orientalis
The Oriental Chain fern is very similar to the Jewelled Chain fern but many reports say it’s slightly less hardy possibly surviving down to -10°C. The new fronds are reddish when they first appear and then turn a fresh green colour. Under the right conditions this can grow to a very large size to about 1.5 metres high.
Polystichum setiferum
The Soft Shield fern Setiferum makes a great large specimen that can grow to over a metre in height. It is evergreen and hardy although its soft lacy tufted fronds make it look delicate but it is tough. Polystichum in general prefer part to full shade but as far as soil conditions and exposure go they can pretty much handle anything.
Polystichum setiferum ‘Plumosum Densum’
Another hardy evergreen Setiferum with a moss like appearance with it’s dense layered fronds. Also known as the Mossy Soft Shield fern and this is also a UK native. Its look reminds me a little of parsley but with a harder look and structure that gives it more depth to the fronds. A relatively small fern reaching about 45cm.
Polystichum setiferum ‘Congestum’
A dwarf version of Setiferum, Congestum due to the overlapping leaflets or pinnae that give the fronds that congested look. The Congested Soft Shield fern is a British native and grows to about 30cm so quite small by fern standards and requires partial or full shade. This is hardy and evergreen.
Polystichum tsus-simense
The Korean Rock fern is an evergreen low growing with holly like tips. It loves cool dark shade and prefers a sheltered spot as although it is evergreen it is not as hardy as most other Polystichums. Would suit a sheltered north aspect to keep it cool in summer. It only grows to 35cm so would be great for planting under larger plants.
Dryopteris x Complexa
A very hardy evergreen which can be quite large growing to around 120cm is the Robust Wood fern. It is actually a cross between Dryopteris Filix-mas and Dryopteris Affinis and is an excellent large specimen that likes moist cool conditions. If given the right spot it will tolerate most conditions from full sun to shade. Its large size will make this an excellent specimen plant.
Polypodium vulgare
The Common Polypody is a native evergreen, a low growing spreading fern that will reach to a height of about 30cm but can produce fronds of up to 50cm. This hardy variety will produce dense ground cover and prefers drier soil. It can be ground in rockeries, wall crevices and even attached to trees. Will struggle in a limey soil.
Polypodium vulgare ‘Bifidomultifidum’
This evergreen Vulgare is a crested form that produces leathery deep cut fronds. Once established it can handle full sun and drier locations than most ferns so is great if you want to squeeze in another fern but have run out of shady spots. It grows to about 30cm.
Polystichum polyblepharum
The Japanese Tassel fern grows to about 60cm with delicate looking leaflets and a yellow lime green appearance on the new foliage. A pretty hardy evergreen that develops bristles and add some year round texture. This is a favourite of many fern growers.
Lophosoria Quadripinnata
This is one huge and much sought after Chilean Tree fern with fronds reaching 2 metres in length. In it’s native Chile it will develop a trunk but in the UK will usually remain a ground fern. The underside of the fronds is a light grey almost blue colour. It can grow up to 3 metres, is evergreen in the UK and withstand temperature reported to be as low as -5°C to -15°C.
Dryopteris wallichiana Wallich’s Wood Fern
The Wallich Wood fern has to be one of my favourites with its deep burgundy red veins and stem with green leaflets. It is evergreen down to about -12°C in the UK and provides attractive year round foliage although the fronds do tend to lay down in winter rather than remaining erect unless in a sheltered spot.
You are able to buy Dryopteris wallichiana as a small plant or in more mature sizes online as this fern can grow to over a metre in height with its metre long fronds. The new spring growth is a light green and darkens with age as they unfurl and stiffen. As a woodland fern it will grow in partial or full shade and tolerate a level of dry soil once established.
I SPOTTED THIS GIANT CHAIN FERN FOR SALE AT AMURLEE’S, THIS WILL BE ONE HUGE FERN.Woodwardia fimbriata (Giant Chain fern)
By all means a potentially massive ground fern growing up to 2 metres in height and with a similar spread. Potentially hardy and evergreen to -10°C depending on how sheltered a position it is in.
This Giant Chain fern has long arching fronds ranging from a light to mid green in colour. It can take as long as 10 years to reach its full size and would look great under planted by smaller ferns.
P. MUNITUM IS A LARGE RELIABLE AND NOT A FUSSY FERN FOR SHADE.Polystichum munitum (Western Sword fern)
One of the most hardy of the evergreen ferns that I have grown is the Western sword fern, Polystichum munitum. It can grow to a good size, one I have that has been in the ground for about 3 years has fronds 80 cm long but can grow larger.
P. munitum is great for shade and pretty undemanding as ferns go and quite tough never having lost any to the cold. Conversely it seems to cope quite well with periods of dry.
If you are looking for an undemanding nature and general low maintenance then this is a reliable choice.
List of UK evergreen ferns
GIANT CHAIN FERN IN MID WINTER WITH SUB ZERO TEMPERATURES.Whilst not an exhaustive list this is probably the largest list of evergreen ferns that are available in the UK. They vary in their requirements from deep shade to full sun tolerant and many can even grow in dry ground, great for those dry shady areas in your garden.
Adiantum
venustum – Himalayan Maidenhair
x tracyii – Tracy’s Western Hybrid Maidenhair
Arachniodes
davalliaeformis – Shiny Bristle Fern
simplicior ‘Variegata’ – Variegated Holly Fern
Asplenium
platyneuron scolopendrium – Hart’s Tongue Fern
scolopendrium ‘Agustatum’
scolopendrium ‘Crispum Group’ – Crisped hart’s-tongue Fern
scolopendrium ‘Cristatum’
scolopendrium ‘Laceratum Kaye’ – Lacerate Hart’s Tongue Fern
scolopendrium ‘Marginatum’ – Narrow Hart’s Tongue Fern
scolopendrium ‘Undulatum’ – Undulate Hart’s Tongue Fern
scolopendrum ‘Angustatum’
trichomanes – Maidenhair Spleenwort
Blechnum
appendiculatum – Hammock Fern
chilense – Chilean Hard Fern
penna-marina – Alpine Water Fern
penna-marina subsp. alpinum
penna-marina subsp. alpinum Paradise Form
spicant ‘Redwoods Giant’ – Redwoods Deer Fern
wattsii – Hard Water Fern
Cyrtomium
caryotideum – Dwarf Holly Fern
falcatum ‘Rochfordianum’
falcatum – holly Fern
fortunei – Hardy Japanese Holly Fern
fortunei var. clivicola – Arching Japanese Holly Fern
macrophyllum – Big-leaf Holly Fern
Dryopteris
affinis ‘Crispa’ – Golden Scaled Male Fern
bissetiana – Beaded Wood Fern
celsa – Log Fern
championii – Champion’s Wood Fern
crassirhizoma – Thick Stemmed Wood Fern
cycadina – Shaggy Wood Fern
cystolepidota – Manta Winged Autumn Fern
dickinsii ‘Crispa’ – Crisped Shaggy Wood Fern
dilatata ‘Crispa Whiteside’ – Crisped Broad Buckler Fern
dilatata ‘Jimmy Dyce’ – Upright Broad Buckler Fern
dilatata ‘Lepidota Cristata’ – Lacy Crested Broad Buckler Fern
dilatata – Broad Buckler Fern
erythrosora – Autumn Fern
erythrosora ‘Brilliance’
erythrosora var. prolifica – Prolific Autumn Fern
erythrosora var. prolifica ‘Whirly Top’ – Dwarf Prolific Autumn Fern
formosana – Limelight Wood Fern
formosana – Formosan Wood Fern
indusiata – Indusiate Wood Fern
intermedia
lacera
lepidopoda – Sunset Fern
marginalis – Marginal Wood Fern
polylepis – Scaly Wood Fern
pseudofilix-mas – Mexican Male Fern
pycnopteroides – Japanese Wood Fern
remota – Scaly Buckler Fern
scottii – Scott’s Wood Fern
sieboldii – Siebolds Wood Fern
stewartii – Stewart’s Wood Fern
sublacera – Textured Wood Fern
uniformis – Uniform Wood Fern
uniformis ‘Cristata’ – Crested Uniform Wood Fern
wallichiana – Wallich’s Wood Fern
wallichiana subsp. nepalensis ‘Molten Lava’ – Orange Croziered Wallich’s Wood Fern
x australis – Dixie Wood Fern
x complexa
x separabilis – Separate Wood Fern
Lophosoria
quadripinnata – Chilean Ground Fern
Polypodium
glycyrrhiza – Licorice Fern
polpodioides – Resurrection Fern
vulgare ‘Bifidomultifidum’ – Crested Polypody
vulgare – Common Polypody
Polystichum
acrostichoides – Christmas Fern
aculeatum – Hard Shield Fern
andersonii – Anderson’s Sword Fern
braunii – Braun’s Holly Fern
makinoi – Makinoi’s Holly Fern
munitum – Western Sword Fern
neolobatum – Long-eared Holly Fern
polyblepharum – Tassel Fern
rigens – Prickly Holly Fern
setifereum ‘Proliferum’
setiferum – Soft Shield Fern
setiferum ‘Barfod’s dwarf’ – Proliferous Dwarf Soft Shield Fern
setiferum ‘Congestum’ – Dwarf Congested Soft Shield Fern
setiferum ‘Congestum Cristatum’ – Dwarf Crested Soft Shield Fern
setiferum ‘Dahlem’
setiferum ‘Divisilobum type’ – Divided Soft Shield Fern
setiferum ‘Fairy’s Feather’ – Dwarf Setose Divisilobe
setiferum ‘Plumoso-multilobum’ – Plumose Soft Shield Fern
setiferum ‘Plumosum Densum’
setiferum ‘Rotundatum cristatum’ – Crested Soft Shield Fern
sp.(alpine form of neolobatum) – Spiny Holly Fern
tsus-simense – Tsu Shima Holly Fern
x dycei
xiphophyllum – Sword Leaved Holly Fern
Selaginella
bigelovii – Bigelow’s Spikemoss
borealis var. compressa – Twiggy Spikemoss
moellendorffii – Gemmiferous Spikemoss
wallacei – Wallace’s Spikemoss
Woodwardia
fimbriata – Giant Chain Fern
orientalis – Oriental Chain Fern
radicans – European Chain Fern
unigemmata – Jewelled Chain Fern
FERNS ARE NOT JUST GREEN, MANY CHANGE COLOUR WITH NEW GROWTH OR WITH THE SEASON.
Giant chain fern evergreen in winter snow
Giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata)
Woodwardia fimbriata, the Giant chain fern emerging from the snow after lows of -5c. It grows happily in an East Anglian garden in the UK and stays evergreen year round.
Where to buy ferns online
Garden centres tend to sell a few seasonal varieties but will unlikely have much in the way of selection. You may find a local nursery that will have more choice but the largest variety of hardy evergreen and rarer species can be found at these specialist nurseries that offer online sales.
Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates - Will Giles
Dryopteris Affinis “Cristata”
Dryopteris Affinis “Cristata” also known as Wooded fern or Cristata the King is a semi-evergreen fern that keeps its leaves for most seasons. It is a handsome male fern commonly found in woodland and other wetter parts of the UK. This beautiful fern has a clump-forming habit that grows a badge of narrow and oblong-shaped bipinnate fronds with fronds of 20 pairs of short-stemmed leaflets. The fronds emerge in the spring as golden-green and retain a healthy bright summer throughout summer. By autumn, after the growing season, the colour begins to fade and some fronds will die off during winter or before the next growing season. Cristata has sterile and fertile fronds occurring on the same plant. You can easily identify the fertile fronds by the wide-spaced leaflets that are held at an angle to create space for the production of spores that line the bottom of the leaves in an irregular pattern. These brown, kidney-shaped spores are used for the reproduction and cultivation of the plant. On the other hand, the sterile fronds are the evergreen fronds that are blueish-green and arching.Grow And Caring For Dryopteris Affinis “Cristata”
Dryopteris Affinis is a hardy plant that is easy to cultivate and care for as long as it is given the right conditions. It is not a fussy plant but you need to pay attention to its needs and care for it in its first growing season before it is properly established. Relatively, it is a small and fast-growing plant that can reach its ultimate height of 1 to 2 feet in height and 9 to 23 inches in diameter in a decade or less. Let’s get to the simple growing conditions that you need to keep your Cristata fern plant healthy.
Asplenium scolopendrium - Hart’s-tongue fern. A very tropical looking evergreen fern native to Europe and the UK. It might be common but it is never-the-less very attractive, looking as though it should be growing on the floor of a jungle! It grows from 45-60cm tall with a similar width. It has multiple shuttlecock-like crowns composed of strap-like, leathery and very glossy bright green fronds up to 60cm long that are heart-shaped at the base, often with wavy margins on short stems. There are various cultivars available such as ‘Angustifolium’ which has fronds much narrower than the species. ‘Crispum’ has mid-green fronds with strongly wavy margins. ‘Crispum Bolton’s Nobile’ has broad fronds up to 45cm long. ‘Crispum Speciosum’ has sharply tapering fronds, occasionally with yellowish stripes. ‘Cristatum’ has much more divided fronds, each ending in a spreading crest. ‘Furcatum’ has lance-shaped fronds with a variable degree of undulation to the margins, with tips much divided and subdivided. ‘Muricatum’ has fronds distinctly wrinkled, puckered, and pleate They all prefer humus-rich, moist, well-drained alkali to neutral soils but will take slightly acidic soils. Most will take dry conditions for short periods only. Buy Asplenium scolopendrium online - Commonly known as Hart’s-tongue fern
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum - Japanese painted fern - A very attractive deciduous fern from eastern Asia, growing from 25-35cm tall by 50-60cm wide, with short creeping reddish brown rhizomes. The fronds are pinnate, lance-shaped and arching, with silvery grey-green or mid-green tones up to 35cm long with with very prominent redish-purple midribs and yellowish stems. The variety pictum (Japanese painted fern) is truly stunning, one of the showiest ferns for the exotic garden, electrifying shady areas with its fronds 30-38cm long in a soft shade of metallic silver-grey with hints of red and blue. The variety pictum ‘Ursula’s Red’ has superb red-pink and silver fronds developing a blackish red central stripe as they mature. ‘Pictum Crested’ (painted lady fern) has purplish red midribs suffusing into silvery grey with bluish green lamina and crested pinnae—another excellent form. Common Name: Japanese painted fern Latin Name: Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Tenderness Rating: Hardy Ease of growing: Easy Position: Dappled to full shade Soil Condition: Fertile moist soil
Dicksonia squarrosa online or Hard tree fern or even the Rough tree fern Wheki - A Suckering tree fern with a delicate appearance. Upright stem produces side crowns up the trunk, as well as underground runners producing side shoots, when mature. Faster growing than other dicksonias, up to a height of 8 m in the wild in its native New Zealand, though much smaller here in the UK as imports which are usually single stemmed. The trunk is covered in brown hairs and persistent frond bases. On mature plants the fronds can be from 1-3m long, though more like 0.5-0.8m here. The fronds are lance-shaped, bipinnate to pinnatifid, dark green and glaucous green underneath, with frond stalks covered in dense brown to black hairs. Dicksonia squarrosa prefers humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil in a humid, sheltered location, with plenty of water in the growing season. Never let the trunk dry out! Hardy to about –5°C for short periods, lower with protection. Excellent in containers or as a conservatory plant. = Latin Name: Dicksonia squarrosa Common Names: Hard tree fern, Rough tree fern, Wheki Tenderness Rating: Frost-hardy if well wrapped in cold weather Ease of growing: Easy Position: Part or full shade Soil Condition: Humus-rich, well-drained, moist soil Buy Dicksonia squarrosa online | Hard tree fern, Rough tree fern, Wheki
Blechnum spicant - Hard Fern As they age the feathery dark green fronds of this evergreen 'hard fern' spread semi-horizontally to form an attractive rosette-like shape. One of our recommended varieties it provides all-year foliage interest for shady areas of the garden with moist humus-rich acid soil and companionship for shade-loving woodland plants. It is also known as the Ladder Fern thanks to the arrangement of the leaves.
Polystichum aculeatum - Hard Shield Fern
Lustrous long dark green fronds forming a distinctive shuttlecock-like shape. This hard shield fern is reliably evergreen even in cold areas. Perfect for providing all-year interest for a shady well-drained mixed border the finely divided foliage looks wonderful frosted in the winter garden.
Matteuccia struthiopteris - Shuttle Cock / Ostrich Fern
The shuttlecock fern is one of the easiest to identify its fronds making a large striking and unmistakable shape. Although happy in shady humus-rich borders among other plants it looks best grown in groups on its own in dappled shade in woodland rich damp grass or in a shady pond margin. The plant spreads slowly by underground rhizomes and in time builds up large groups on its own. The offsets can be dug up and moved in spring but plants look best left to form colonies. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Male Fern'
Dryopteris filix-mas although defined as deciduous by the RHS has performed like a semi-evergreen fern over winter holding onto the fronds and remaining green throughout winter. This is a traditional looking fern and when mature can reach over a metre in height. This really is one of the larger ground ferns so make sure you plant it with enough room to grow or it will smother anything growing round it. This deciduous fern forms a large clump of narrow lance-shaped green leaves with slightly darker green midribs. Leaves have a delicate appearance and look stunning planted among contrasting bold foliage plants. This fern does best in shade and moist soil.
Arachniodes aristata variegata - Evergreen East Indian Holly Fern
The Arachnoides Variegata is a fantastic evergreen fern with brightly coloured fronds. Principally grass-green in colour they are also shaded with gold coloured highlights which makes for an unusual spectacle when planted en-mass or contrasted with other low growing plants such as different coloured Heucheras or indeed other ferns. Perfect to use as a groundcover in large groups under trees and shemi-shaded shrub beds as the eventual height is only around 30cms. Why not create an unusual feature garden bed or planter containing one of these and other contrasting foliage plants. Also known as the Variegated Shield Fern.
Blechnum brasiliense 'Volcano' - Red Brazilian Tree Fern
A cracking fern which has only just become available here in the UK and is sure to be the next big thing! Blechnum brasiliensis 'Volcano' is an exciting find producing compact plants that lend themselves well to growing in patio planters or in garden beds and borders. The plants throw up large fronds over 2ft long and these unfurl in bright red age to bronze volcanic shades before finally turning to a glossy green - an amazing sight to behold and quite unusual. These fronds are a good size and they form a distinctive shuttlecock shape so it is quite architectural. Over time this fern will form a small trunk hence the name Brazilian Tree Fern. It will thrive in low light which means it can even be used to provide an exotic touch indoors as a house plant. Despite its tropical origins Blechnum brasiliense is hardy enough to be grown in most UK gardens tolerating temperatures down to -5c although it will appreciate a sheltered spot such as being planted in a shaded woody area.
Large Cyathea dealbata - Silver Tree Fern
This Silver Tree fern is the iconic national symbol of New Zealand and one of the most revered tree ferns in the world. Over time this tree-like fern grows a trunk that carries long up to 3m (10ft) mid-to dark green fronds that develop the distinctive silvery backing at maturity. In New Zealand it is found on both the north and south island here in the UK their fascinating appearance will soon catch the heart of any gardener. These impressive tree ferns are one of the oldest plants in the world and will add drama and style to a semi-shady spot and will happily grow in any soil as long as the trunk is kept moist. This Cyathea dealbata tree fern is at the start of it's life and often supplied in an approx 5 litre container with lush green fronds. Perfect to plant and watch develop over the years as it will slowly develop the trunk. Plant out of the way of direct sunlight to avoid scorching and ideally offer some winter protection although this tree fern can reputedly survive British winters down to -8c. It will produce multiple flushes of fronds throughout the year. A real must have for any tree fern collector or as a stand alone specimen.