How To Grow Ferns / RHS Gardening

What are ferns?

Ferns are an ancient type of plant, dating back more than 360 million years. They don't produce flowers or seeds, but spores instead. They are prized for their attractive leaves, or fronds, which typically unfurl from crosiers (tightly coiled buds) in the centre of the plant.

Ferns are perennials, meaning they live for several years, some dying down in winter (deciduous), while others keep their foliage all year (evergreen). In the wild, ferns grow in a range of habitats, from woodland to dry rock crevices or swamps, but most ferns available to gardeners tend to like shade.

Hardy ferns can be kept outdoors all year round in the UK and need no additional frost protection. There are also some half-hardy ferns that can be grown outdoors in mild areas in the south and west of the UK, or in other sheltered spots if given protection over winter.

Choosing ferns

Ferns come in many shapes, sizes, textures and colours. Most are woodland plants that like shady conditions and rich soil, full of organic matter.

Getting the right look

Consider what you want from your plant, such as:

• Size – most ferns reach 60cm-1.2m (2-4ft) tall, with only a select few being smaller or significantly taller
• Shape – you can choose from bold, vertical growth or low arching fronds, or anything in between. The fronds can be densely packed, or light and airy, and are often intricately toothed, lacy or feathery, but can also be tufted, ruffled or curly
• Evergreen or deciduous – do you want foliage all year round (evergreen) or from spring to late autumn (deciduous)? Some

  Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.

  deciduous ferns turn attractive coppery shades in autumn
• Colour – you can choose from foliage in every shade of green, as well as tinged with purple, pink, silver or bronze. The stems can be also be various colours, including coppery or dark purple
• Style – do you prefer the natural look of

  A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

  native British ferns such as Blechnum spicant, or something more exotic, such as a Japanese painted fern or a tree fern?

How and what to buy

Ferns are available all year round in containers. You can buy a wide range in garden centres, online or from specialist nurseries.

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: garden centre plants

Buying: mail order plants

Buying: mail order plants

Where to get ideas and advice

To explore and narrow down your potential planting choices, you can:

• Visit gardens that feature lots of ferns and see which ones you like best. Woodland gardens are often a good choice, especially in spring when ferns are unfurling their new fronds
• All the RHS Gardens feature ferns, and all the plants are labelled, so you can note down your favourites
• Ask at nearby garden centres, which should offer a range of ferns that do well in your local conditions
• Go to RHS Find a Plant and search for ‘ferns’ to browse the photographs and plant descriptions, and find out where to buy them
• Visit a specialist nursery, in person or online

Guide to easy-to-grow hardy ferns

Guide to easy-to-grow hardy ferns

RHS guide to choosing healthy plants

RHS guide to choosing healthy plants