The Deer-Resistant Fern Variety That Makes An Excellent Ground Cover

Ground cover is an important part of a healthy yard. It helps keep weeds at bay while slowing erosion, all while providing you with extra visual appeal that turns an otherwise barren strip of property into an overflowing, lush escape into nature. Unfortunately, deer tend to enjoy your ground cover just as much as you do. There are ways to get around this natural food chain, though, and this deer-resistant fern that spreads easily throughout your yard can be the perfect place to start.

The netted chain fern (currently Woodwardia areolata, though it was previously classified under the genus Lorinseria) is a perennial fern native to the eastern United States. This shade-loving fern grows in boggy areas, those spots with high moisture content. It spreads quickly throughout your yard, making it well suited for use as ground cover. However, along with tolerating low light and wet conditions, netted chain ferns are also resistant to deer. As a result, you can incorporate it into your landscaping without worrying as much about a hungry deer grazing away all your hard work.

Before growing this deer-resistant fern variety as ground cover in your yard, there is one thing to keep in mind: netted chain fern can be a little too good at its job. Because it's so durable and fast-spreading, it can quickly take over parts of the yard, which is great for coverage but may become weedy over time.

Because they're durable and even a little stubborn, netted chain ferns are easy to grow, making them one of the easiest plants to grow for beginner gardeners looking for deer-resistant ground cover. However, easy doesn't mean hands-free, and it's important to understand the care this plant needs if you want it to thrive in your yard. As a perennial, this deer-resistant fern will come back year after year, but only in the right USDA growing zones where the temperatures are preferable. Netted chain ferns are hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 9, which gives them a variety of climates to thrive in.

While life in the bogs and swamps of eastern North America may seem easy enough to recreate, it's important that your yard replicates these conditions if you want the best growth possible from your netted chain fern. This plant is used to growing in areas where water often pools. As a result, it needs routinely moist soil, even holding up well to wet conditions. This means, however, that instances of drought or dryness could spell disaster for its success, making it easy prey for any hungry deer.

Water and soil needs aside, netted chain ferns prefer shady spots over south-facing areas with full sun. They do well in partial shade, full shade, and dappled sunlight. Because of this, north-facing areas, spots along structures, and spaces beneath trees all work well for this hardy ground cover.