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Lady Fern (1 Gallon)
Lady Fern (1 Gallon)
$18.00
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Quantity
31 in stock
Athyrium filix-femina
Choose Lady Fern if you want a native fern to soften a shaded bed without needing swampy soil; the tradeoff is it dies back in winter and will not give you evergreen structure.
Buy This If
- You want a native fern.
- Your bed is not bone-dry.
- You like soft texture.
Skip This If
- You need winter foliage.
- The site bakes in afternoon sun.
- You want a rigid, formal look.
PGNE Report Card
| Category | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Impact | B+ | Lady Fern gives shaded beds a soft, layered look, but it is more texture than focal point. |
| Growth Rate | A- | It fills in at a good pace when the soil stays reasonably even. |
| Maintenance | A- | Cut back old fronds after they collapse and keep new plantings watered while they settle in. |
| Deer Resistance | A- | Deer rarely browse ferns, making this one of the more dependable choices where deer pressure is heavy. |
| Small Space Fit | B+ | It works well in smaller shade beds, though it looks best grouped rather than used as a single plant. |
| Screening Value | D | This is a ground-layer plant, not a screen or privacy plant. |
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Lady Fern in groups, not as a single accent, where the goal is a natural woodland floor rather than a showy centerpiece. Its tolerance for both damp and average soil makes it one of the easier ferns to place in a buffer planting, where moisture changes as you move up the bank.
Plant Facts
| Botanical Name | Athyrium filix-femina |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Lady Fern |
| Mature Height | 2.5-3 ft |
| Mature Width | 2-3 ft |
| Hardiness Zones | 3a-9a |
| Spacing | 1.5-2 ft |
| Sun | Part Shade to Shade |
| Moisture | Average to moist |
| Growth Habit | Clumping, arching, vase-shaped |
| Evergreen | No |
| Native | Yes (species native to New England/eastern US) |
| Best Used For | Riparian buffer plantings • Rain gardens • Native woodland shade • Moisture-variable shaded beds |
| Wetland Indicator Status | FAC (Facultative) — occurs in both wetlands and uplands about equally, which is why it handles the wet-to-dry gradient of a buffer planting. Source: USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List, Northcentral & Northeast region. |
Customers Usually Ask
Does Lady Fern spread aggressively?
No, it is generally a clumping fern, not a runner like some groundcover ferns.
Can I use this on a buffer or rain garden job?
Yes. Its FAC rating on the USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List means it is equally at home in wetland and upland conditions, so it can be run across the whole width of a buffer rather than just one zone.
Will it stay green in winter?
No, expect it to die back and return with fresh growth in spring.
Can it handle normal garden soil?
Yes, as long as the soil does not stay dry for long stretches.
Why Add Ferns to Your Landscape?
- Perfect for Shade Gardens: Ferns thrive in partial to full shade, making them ideal for woodland and foundation plantings.
- Soft Texture & Movement: Feathery fronds add contrast and visual interest alongside broader-leafed plants.
- Low-Maintenance & Hardy: Many varieties return year after year with minimal care and strong cold tolerance.
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43007
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