Ferns

All our fronds can find something they fancy within this collection—from tasty fiddleheads, painted pinnae, and architectural grace to species that take hold and work hard to get the upper hand on soil erosion—we have you covered! Offered in the Landscape Plug™ LP32, these robust plugs are a quick turn in production and ready to root for your success.

North Creek’s fern collection is a customer favorite and becomes available to ship in early April. It is our guarantee that ferns will arrive healthy, actively growing, and ready for potting. To ensure the best possible plant quality is hitting your production line— we only ship ferns in active growth.

Athyrium lady fern, painted fern

Handsome crowns of feathery fronds are typical of this genus. Stronggrowing and dependable, these ferns are great garden plants.

Dryopteris woodfern

There are at least 255 species of woodfern populating the temperate woodlands of the world. All are easy to cultivate if given consistent moisture and good drainage during establishment.

Adiantum pedatum (1) northern maidenhair tc 12-30” | Z 2-8 | LP32

Elegant, bright green fronds held atop shiny black stipes, creating a light, airy texture in the woodland garden. Spreads by shallow rhizomes to form a dense groundcover. Prefers moist, rich, well-drained acidic to neutral soil under bright shade.

Athyrium ‘Godzilla’ (2) Japanese painted fern tc 2-3’ | Z 5-8 | LP32

An introduction by Plant Delights Nursery in 2009, this Japanese painted fern is a monster! Growing up to 3’ tall and spreading up to 6’ wide, ‘Godzilla’ has the appearance of A. var. pictum with the punch of an ostrich fern. Thrives in shady locations in moist soil to dry shade.

Athyrium angustum forma rubellum ‘Lady in Red’ (3) lady fern tc 18-30” | Z 3-8 | LP32

Distinctive lacy, nearly luminescent bright green fronds contrast with brilliant deep burgundy stipes. Grows slightly shorter than the species—lovely, dependable, and easy to grow.

Athyrium filix-femina (4) tc 2-3’ | Z 5-10 | LP32

Tough as nails and easy to grow. A breathtaking flush of new fronds appears in spring with new growth throughout the season. Tolerates full sun with adequate moisture, flourishes in bright shade with evenly moist soil.

Athyrium filix-femina ‘Victoriae’ (5) tc 18-24” | Z 4-8 | LP32

Discovered in Scotland in 1861 during the Victorian Fern Craze, this unusual selection’s pinnae crisscross, forming a filigreed pattern of x’s. The intricacy increases with each finely crested leaflet. These frilly, feathery fronds have graced gardens since the reign of their namesake queen.

Athyrium niponicum ‘Regal Red’ (6) Japanese painted fern tc

This fern is a tapestry of color! The dark violet-red interior of each frond is fringed with bright silver, making each leaflet distinct in this breathtaking brocade. Pinnules twist softly, giving each frond a fluffed look. A unique, uniform, slowly spreading groundcover.

15-18” | Z 4-9 | LP32

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (7) Pearlescent blue-gray fronds are accented with subtle shades of green, purple, and red. The color is more intense when sited in a sunnier locale—preferably in morning or late afternoon. A jewel amongst the greens of the woodland garden. The Perennial Plant Association’s 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year® tc

12-18” | Z 4-9 | LP32

Athyrium × ‘Ghost’ (8) lady fern tc 24-30” | Z 3-8 | LP32

Selected for silvery-white fronds and a decidedly upright habit. Fronds age to a handsome green, providing a lovely backdrop for vivid new growth. Dynamic deep red stipes provide pronounced contrast to the luminous foliage.

Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ autumn fern tc 18-24” | Z 5-8 | LP32

A colorful groundcover from start to finish—attractive pink fiddleheads unfurl to reveal varying hues of coppery-red new growth that mature into lustrous, evergreen fronds. Noted for new growth that is brighter red and lasts longer into the spring than the species.

Dryopteris goldiana (9) Goldie’s woodfern tc 3-4’ | Z 3-8 | LP32

Our largest and most attractive native woodfern. Stately stands of broadly arching, medium to dark green fronds spread on short rhizomes. Named for botanist John Goldie.

Dryopteris marginalis eastern woodfern tc 12-18” | Z 3-8 | LP32

The leathery, evergreen fronds of this sturdy East Coast native form a tidy clump that will not spread. Occurs on rocky ledges and shady edges in neutral to slightly acidic soils. More shade is required in southern zones.

Dryopteris × australis southern woodfern tc 3-4’ | Z 5-9 | LP32

A statuesque addition to the garden, this natural hybrid (D. celsa × D. ludoviciana) is found in wild populations from Louisiana to Virginia. Coarse, slightly arching fronds remain upright.

Matteuccia struthiopteris ostrich fern tc

The award for most dramatic goes to . . . ostrich fern! Tiny, tightly wound fiddleheads emerge in early spring and slowly unfurl into an arresting display of brilliant green fronds—the transformation is something to behold. Named for feathery sterile fronds suggestive of the plumes of an ostrich. Young fiddleheads are edible and an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Spreads freely by rhizomes especially in moist, loose soils.

Onoclea sensibilis sensitive fern tc

A freely running, deciduous fern with broad, deeply pinnatifid, smooth fronds. Bold textured, bright green foliage is accented in late summer with upright fertile fronds that appear beaded. Very effective as a moist shade groundcover. Found in wet meadows, swamps, and open woods.

Osmunda cinnamomea (10) syn. Osmundastrum cinnamomea cinnamon fern tc

Brilliant green lacy fronds gracefully arch outward in stately vase-shaped clumps. Named for reddish-brown fertile fronds, which arise from the center of the plant in early spring and appear as if dusted in cinnamon. Prefers a moist shady site but tolerates more sun in cooler zones.

2-5’ | Z 2-10 | LP32

Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis (11) royal fern tc

Aptly named for its handsome architecture, bold texture, and truly royal garden presence—with adequate moisture royal fern can reach a towering 6’ tall and create a lush, tropical feel along a stream or beside a pond.

4-6’ | Z 2-10 | LP32

Phegopteris decursive-pinnata (12) syn. Thelypteris decursive-pinnata

Japanese beech fern tc

One of the best landscape ferns available! Excellent in pot culture and travels well. Arching fronds are a lustrous dark green and have a lighter green underside. Produces large stands via short runners in moist or average shade. Exceptional groundcover.

1-2’ | Z 4-10 | LP32

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas fern tc 12-18” | Z 3-9 | LP32

A top-selling, low-maintenance native fern with smooth evergreen fronds and a neat, clumping habit. Found in acid to neutral soils along shaded slopes and well-drained flats. An ideal species for massing on slopes to help combat soil erosion; perfect companion for spring blooming bulbs.

Polystichum polyblepharum (13)

Korean tasselfern tc 18-24” | Z 5-8 | LP32

Meaning ‘many eyelashes,’ polyblepharum refers to the fuzzy stipe and rachis of this garden fern. Glossy evergreen fronds emerge starkly upright and arch gracefully as they age. A favorite amongst designers for its year-round structural and textural appeal, all while being extremely tolerant of drought and easy to grow.

Lonicera sempervirens

‘Major Wheeler’