Many varieties of ferns grow in Midwest shade gardens
Most of the 12,000 species of ferns on the planet are found growing in tropical rainforests. While gardens in the Midwest do not offer the same cultural conditions as a rainforest, they provide suitable growing conditions for many types of ferns, including several varieties from the Dryopteris family.
These ferns are easy to grow, reliable and require little maintenance. They prefer a site in filtered sunlight, or direct sunlight in the morning and protection from sun in the afternoon, with consistently moist soil rich with organic matter.
Dryopteris erythrosora, commonly called Autumn fern, shows off colorful fronds through the season. They emerge coppery red, turn bronze as they unfold and green as the weather warms, and blush with copper again in the fall. Plants continue to produce new fronds all summer to keep plants multicolored. Autumn ferns grow 18 to 24 inches tall and, once established, are drought tolerant.
D. erythrosora Brilliance is a lovely cultivar with even showier coloring.
Male ferns, or Dropteris filix-mas, are tough, adaptable ferns able to tolerate more sun if they are given ample moisture. Their masculine, robust character makes them a standout in the shade garden. Male ferns reach 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
D. filix-mas Crispa Cristata sports fronds with very frilly ends. This dwarf form of the male fern only grows 12 to 24 inches tall. The 18- to 24-inch fronds of D. filix-mas Parsley are also crested and crinkled.
A native to northeastern North America, Dryopteris goldiana, or Goldie's fern, is one of the tallest types. Their shaggy fiddleheads are a highlight in the spring shade garden. Broad, leathery, bright green fronds turn pale yellow in fall. Goldie's fern spreads slowly by rhizomes, gradually forming a clump of slightly arching foliage up to 4 feet tall.
Leather wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis) is a vigorous grower. Its gentle arching fronds unfurl yellowish green, turn dark to blue green in summer and remain evergreen well into winter. Leather wood ferns grow 12 to 24 inches tall.
Dryopteris remota, sometimes called wood or buckler fern, is an excellent choice for a woodland setting. It emerges early in spring and shows off 2- to 3-foot tall, medium green fronds with scruffy, golden brown stems. Dryopteris remota is very hardy and adaptable.
The lacy foliage of toothed wood fern, botanically named Dryopteris spinulosa, mixes well with large-leaved perennials. Growing 18 to 30 inches tall, its deeply divided, glossy green fronds turn yellow in fall.
Ferns add fine texture to shade gardens, mingling beautifully with perennials with broad leaves. Taller ferns are charming companions for large hostas Ligularia and Rodgersia. Ferns that top out at 2 feet are perfect partners for coral bells, false forget-me-nots, lady's mantle and mid-size hostas. Dwarf varieties of ferns are lovely neighbors to barrenwort, lungwort and small hostas.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.