Native Midwest ferns grow well in shady spots

There are many ferns native to our Illinois gardens, all ready to add textural contrast for bold-foliaged perennials or linear sedges.

Adiantum pedatum, commonly called Northern maidenhair fern, is ideal for the heavily shaded garden where other perennials suffer from lack of light. It grows up to 2 feet tall, but often stays as short as a foot while spreading very slowly by rhizomes to form magnificent colonies with time.

Its lacy fronds of light green leaves are held on arching, thin, black stems. Plants would choose a spot in damp woods (and do in their native habitats) but grow happily in average to moist, rich garden soil. Fronds may brown in hot, dry summers without supplemental water.

Northern maidenhair ferns are not favored by deer or rabbits and rarely suffer from insect or disease problems.

Dryopteris marginalis does not spread and instead forms a tidy, vase-shaped clump of leathery, dark green fronds. Commonly called wood fern or marginal shield fern because of the way it produces its spores along the outer margins of its fronds, it thrives in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Once established, however, marginal shield fern can tolerate short periods of drought.

Its 18- to 30-inch fronds look their best all season if planted in a site protected from strong winds. Semi-evergreen, they remain green in the winter garden until snow covers them.

Marginal shield ferns are not bothered by insects, diseases or munching garden marauders.

Matteuccia struthiopteris, also known as ostrich fern, is taller than most other native ferns. Growing 4 feet tall or more, it is best for gardens with room for it to spread out. It expands quickly when planted in consistently moist soil in part to full shade.

Its attractive, bright green fiddleheads emerge from the soil in spring. Feathery, medium green fronds remain attractive until summer takes its toll. Large, dark brown fertile fronds rise from the center of plants in summer.

Plant ostrich ferns in wet areas where other perennials are difficult to grow. Deer and rabbits won't eat them first (or even second).

If a more mannerly fern is needed for a consistently moist area, Onoclea sensibilis is a lovely choice. Commonly called sensitive fern because its bright green fronds succumb to the first fall frost, it grows 3 to 4 feet tall. It also spreads by rhizomes but at a much less rambunctious rate than ostrich ferns.

Grow sensitive ferns in rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil in part to full shade. Unable to tolerate dry soil, watering is necessary during periods without sufficient rainfall.

In late summer, their shorter, woody fertile fronds turn brown and remain attractive well into winter. Insects and diseases rarely, if ever, bother sensitive ferns, and rabbits don't find their fronds delicious.

Choose native ferns when considering adding ferns to a shade garden. Plant them alongside other natives like foamflowers and Solomon's seal and non-natives like purple-foliaged coral bells and hostas.

• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.