28 Shade-Loving Ferns That Make Dark Gardens Come Alive

Those pesky, dim-lit, dark corners of your garden needn't remain barren — you can fill them with perennial ferns for an instant dose of calm and tranquility! Being forest dwellers, ferns are naturally adapted to shaded conditions, and when cared for properly, they can thrive in home gardens for years on end. Plus, they're highly versatile. From dry shade to moist woodland conditions or something in between, you're bound to find a fern variety that fits your garden's specific growing conditions.

The best part, though? You can plant ferns anytime throughout the year as long as you can work the soil. However, rainy fall or spring seasons offer the best chance of establishment. While ferns are incredibly low-maintenance, you may have to keep an eye out for slugs and snails, especially if the beds don't drain well. Ready to transform your garden's darkest nooks? Include any of these 28 shade-loving ferns to enliven your landscape, from cinnamon ferns to hay-scented ferns and Japanese painted ferns to silvery glade ferns.

Saddled with a bog for a garden? Inject drama into it with the regal beauty of ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris). This moisture-lover feathers out green fronds reminiscent of an ostrich's plumage. Hardy in zones 3 to 7, this common garden fern can be harvested and eaten when the balled fiddleheads emerge in the spring (though they don't survive past the fall). Extending nearly 8 feet across via underground rhizomes, ostrich fern can naturalize in sites offering partial shade and acidic, fertile soils. This makes them useful for controlling soil erosion but also means they can take over the yard.

A wet site that barely lets in any sunlight could very well house cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) and earn an instant lift. These deer-resistant ferns, hardy in zones 3 through 9, produce green, deeply dissected leaves that later turn a burnished orange for fall. In early spring, you'll also notice beady, cinnamon-colored clusters that release spores into the soil so they may return year after year. Unlike ostrich ferns, cinnamon ferns have a more controlled gait and won't turn weedy. Birds enjoy having them around as they pluck their leaves to build their nests and may even take cover if the ferns are planted densely enough.

In moist, shaded sites located in zones 3 to 8, give Goldie's wood fern (Dryopteris goldiana) a home. These attractive specimens develop dark to pale green fronds that arch away from the plant's center and turn yellow in the fall. Since they can grow quite tall (maxing out at 4 feet), they make valuable accents in native or shade gardens. Moist, slightly acidic soils are preferred, though they tolerate seasonal flooding. Be sure to pick their site carefully, as they despise transplantation after establishment. You may have to watch for aphids and caterpillars.

Prevalent across the wooded forests in the eastern U.S. region, northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) is another shade-loving variety you can grow if you have moist, humusy soils. They look especially vivid in spring when their horseshoe-shaped, purplish-red fiddleheads make an appearance. Although they produce fertile spores during the summer, they're usually slow to spread. So, if you're planning to use them as ground cover, don't forget to divide these perennial plants in spring. The new plants will afford quicker coverage and will lure in birds seeking nesting materials. Plant them in borders to deter deer in zones 3 to 8.

The East Indian holly fern (Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata') differentiates itself from its fern counterparts, thanks to a yellow streak running along every lime-hued frond's midrib. This feature makes it an excellent addition to dark gardens, both as an accent and as a low-growing ground cover. Although evergreen through zones 7 to 10, up north, you must keep the winter beds mulched or locate these ferns away from the path of desiccating cold winds to prevent them from growing ragged. These ferns can tolerate the heaviest of shade, occasional flooding, and deer pressure.

Got gravelly or sandy soil that's too dry for most plants? Ebony spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron) will tide you over because it likes fast drainage and has decent drought tolerance. In fact, in poorly drained soils, its crown can rot, and it can even become slug food. Ebony spleenwort has a compact form that measures about 1 foot up and across and can be used to define borders or be popped in containers. While it produces spores, it also produces babies, or button-like buds, that snap off the fronds and turn into new ferns when they root in the soil.

Producing pinnae (individual leaves) that could pass for festive stockings, it's no wonder Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) was christened so. However, there's more to their charm than the shape. Christmas ferns are evergreen in zones 3 through 9 and can be relied on to create winter interest. They're disliked by deer, rabbits, and even squirrels, but are popular with birds for winter cover. Plus, they exhibit great tolerance for dense shade and drought, making them highly suitable in dry sites or underneath trees. Although not the fastest growers, once established, they keep soil erosion in check.

Infuse early spring color in your dark garden with interrupted fern (Claytosmunda claytoniana), though be prepared for some interruption in their form later in the season. Curiously, the spore-producing fertile parts inhabit the central section of the clump, and after they're done with their duty, happily die off in the summer. Afterward, these ferns can look a tad bare in the center, though it doesn't take away from their attraction to the gardener or overwintering mammals. Interrupted ferns thrive in zones 3 to 8 in all light conditions, from dappled sun to heavy shade.

Japanese painted fern, or black lady fern (Athyrium niponicum), is certain to stop you right in your tracks with its majestic beauty. In late spring, this deciduous fern unfurls highly dissected, green-tinged, gray fronds overlaid with maroon midribs. Deer and rabbits care little about this plant, making it valuable in borders and edges for deterrence. Since it tolerates dappled sunlight, locate these ferns underneath tall shrubbery and trees, though they'll perform just fine in the darkest corners of your garden where sunlight can't stream through. Japanese painted ferns thrive in zones 4 through 9.

If you're struggling with a dry spot that is frequently overrun by weeds or invasive plants, consider populating it with hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula). Spreading through rhizomes, this fast-growing fern will easily reclaim the territory without entailing much investment, given that a single plant can grow nearly 4 feet wide. However, if you want to limit their spread, cordon off their plantings with hardscaping. Hay-scented ferns are particularly valuable in residential lots visited by deer because they'll recoil from their taste and move elsewhere. These eastern U.S. natives accept partial-to-full shade in zones 3 through 8.

If you're blessed with loamy soils, consider adding silvery glade fern (Deparia acrostichoides), a deer-resistant fern indigenous to the eastern U.S. region. From full sun to dense shade, silvery glade fern can survive in most light conditions, so long as the soil remains moist. Perennials in zones 4 to 9, these ferns can grow about 3 feet tall and similarly wide. Allowing them to roam freely can encourage the plant to establish a thick cover for overwintering birds. Some moth caterpillars feed on their spores in summer and fall.

In zones 3 to 8, marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis) provides year-round interest. Springs herald the emergence of hairy fiddleheads, which unfold into grayish-green fronds. Don't worry if you notice brown dots on the undersides of the leaves in the summer; they're fertile spores that aid the fern's return. Also known as the leather wood fern, this woodland variety is well-behaved and won't colonize the area. Site their clumps in a shaded spot for a focal point or mass in borders to repel rabbits. These ferns make great replacements for fast-spreading invasive ground covers to steer clear of, like ivy and periwinkle.

Royal fern (Osmunda spectabilis) is quite the beauty that loves changing colors as the fall temperatures set in, donning a bronze overcoat. As it can grow nearly 5 feet tall, it can almost give off a shrubby appearance. This can be great for an accent in shade or rain gardens. When maintained in moist soils, royal ferns can take a bit of sun, though they perform best in partial to heavy shade. Deer and pests aren't usually a bother, making them low-maintenance must-haves. Royal ferns are North American natives and are cold-hardy in zones 3 through 9.

Those on the lookout for shade-loving perennials to populate alkaline or calcareous soils might find Hart's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) of interest. This diminutive plant arches out bright green, lance-shaped fronds, which, unlike most ferns, aren't dissected in their form. Rows of brown sori mark their undersides, which can be used to produce more ferns. Deer and rabbits aren't fond of these ferns. Evergreen in zones 5 through 9, hart's tongue ferns perform well when their beds are mulched to improve moisture retention.

True to its name, sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is very sensitive to its growth conditions, disliking both drought and frost. So, if you tend to forget to water your plants, live in a dry, windy area, or expect greenery in cool winters, this fern isn't for you. Sensitive ferns prefer woodland settings, where they're partially shaded and can access moist soils. Around summer's end, their fertile fronds dry down to a beady brown mass, which adds a sculptural touch to the garden and can also be used for indoor arrangements. They can turn weedy in fertile soils.

Also known as Japanese shield fern, autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) can be a spectacular addition to gardens located in zones 5 to 8. These shade lovers bring autumnal color to spring with their emergent fronds that are colored a vivid pinkish-copper. As the season warms, they turn a luscious deep green and can serve as a gorgeous foil for other shade-loving ornamentals. They grow best in rich, acidic soils and can be used around thirsty, shallow-rooted trees, including elms and oaks. Although autumn ferns, like most of their counterparts, love moisture, droughts are easily tolerated.

Bulblet bladder ferns (Cystopteris bulbifera) can be an interesting addition to your garden because of their propensity to produce their own clones asexually. The undersides of their fronds are coated in whitish-black spots that grow into pea-sized bulblets. These detach from the parent plant and grow their own waves of fronds. Bulblet bladder ferns can be successfully grown in zones 3 to 9, especially in humid areas. They thrive in rocky soils, provided they're watered well and are moderately fertile. Plant them somewhere they don't face much resource competition, though they pair well with wood ferns and columbine.

Hardy in zones 4 through 9, log fern (Dryopteris celsa) is an excellent option for both dry and wet soils, provided they're organically rich or have been amended with wood compost. It grows over 18 inches wide and can be safely tucked in narrow yards, while its tolerance for partial to full shade makes it valuable in north-facing foundation plantings. Since it spreads via rhizomes, you may also use it on shaded slopes to prevent soil erosion. Deer generally leave their foliage untouched, unless other food sources are scarce.

In mixed borders or underneath roses in zones 5 through 8, consider adding tassel ferns (Polystichum polyblepharum). These evergreen ferns look gorgeous as their highly lustrous green fronds unfurl in a vase-like form. Curiously, before these fronds fully mature, they intermediately curl back, which gives them a tassel-like shape. They prefer dappled shade but will survive in dark corners, too. Be sure to offer them moist, organically rich soils. You might have to angle up the rhizomes during planting to prevent them from rotting or grow them in raised beds. Tassel ferns also look spectacular in decorative containers.

Although adaptive to zones 2 through 8, spinulose wood fern (Dryopteris carthusiana), or toothed wood fern, as it's known alternatively, is evergreen only in its southern ranges and semi-evergreen elsewhere. It produces lacy, light green fronds atop scale-covered stems that hold their color even in the summer heat. Sometimes, you may spot caterpillars folding the leafy tips over and harboring inside until they're ready to transform into moths. Spinulose wood ferns grow best in moderately shaded sites where they're shielded from winds. Team them with spring ephemerals or heucheras for even more color.

'Ghost' fern (Athyrium 'Ghost') is a hybrid fern variety that has the eye-catching silvery fronds of the Japanese painted fern and the erect, symmetrical habit of the lady fern. It grows about 2½ feet tall, albeit not as wide, and can be easily tucked into small beds for color contrast. Hardy in zones 4 through 8, it may grow a tad dull and ragged, showing bluish-green tones in its foliage in the summer heat. While the 'Ghost' fern can be grown in dry shade, moist soils are where it grows best. Rabbits dislike these ferns.

Hailing from the eastern U.S. region, southern wood fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana) is an easy-to-grow plant that's unfussy about its growth conditions. From clay to sand, it tolerates most average soils. Although it's touted to be evergreen in zones 6 to 10, you might not always get to enjoy the view because the fronds sprawl to the ground in winter and are obscured by the snow. While it can mature to heights of 4 feet, it doesn't grow terribly fast, so choose its site accordingly. Given its tolerance for occasional flooding, you may pop it in shaded rain gardens.

If your gardens tend to muck up after rain, swathe them in crested wood ferns (Dryopteris cristata). This way, you can also help conserve native ferns, as this one is considered a threatened species. Crested wood ferns have two sets of fronds, with the sterile kind being evergreen and the spore-producing types dying back in the winter. Mass plant them where deer pose trouble, since they don't enjoy browsing their fronds. Crested wood ferns spread nearly 6 feet wide and may be utilized as tall groundcovers.

If you've stocked your dark garden with rocks, believing nothing else could possibly grow in that area, leathery polypody (Polypodium scouleri) might just be what you need. Since it spreads via branching rhizomes, you can train these ferns over rocks and even over trees (think dogwoods) that offer dappled shade without causing them any harm. In organically rich, well-draining soils, you may also plant it as a groundcover, though don't expect instant coverage, as it's a slow grower. Deer avoid these plants. They're cold-hardy only in zones 8 to 10, but may be popped in containers and overwintered indoors.

Usually explained away as a shorter version of sensitive fern, netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata) is another deer-resistant variety you may grow in zones 3 through 9. The individual blades on the fronds grow around the main vein as a mass of mini islands, giving this fern a distinct look. However, because it shoots out rhizomes and grows fast, you must only utilize it in areas where you want the plant to naturalize itself. Frequently flooded sites are one likely option because they thrive in wet soils. Such ground covers will also be useful for birds seeking winter shelter.

Broad beech fern, or southern beech fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera), is another option to populate wet sites that receive little to no sunlight in zones 5 through 9. In spring, green leaves emerge from the rhizomes and, after a stint in the summer where they readily disperse sori, turn yellow in time for autumn. Broad beech ferns can also be grown underneath messy trees, including oaks, that readily shed leaves, as they enjoy this organic content boost. However, bear in mind that they can turn weedy in the landscape, so they must be sited suitably or bracketed with hardscaping.

Weave textural contrast into shaded gardens with 'Myers' asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers'). Covered in tiny, pale green blades, its fronds feather out in the form of a spiral, adding an eclectic touch. It's unparticular about soils, surviving in clay as well as rocky mediums. You may tuck it in a dry, shaded nook as an accent or mass plant for an evergreen groundcover in zones 9b to 11, where you don't mind it running free. Otherwise, keep it in containers. 'Myers' produces aromatic, white flowers during the spring-summer transition. Fall birds find the red berries attractive.

With a family dating back to the Jurassic times, planting Tasmanian tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) is your gateway to honoring and celebrating one of the most primitive forms of nature. Featuring a highly textured brown trunk from which plumes of bright green fronds arch outward, these ferns grow nearly 15 feet tall. They prefer partial shade exposure but withstand dark shade. As they don't grow very fast, they're easily maintained in ornate containers for a tropical touch or as a foreground for unsightly walls. In zones 9 through 11, they grow well in moist, fertile soils.