are ferns good ground cover

Are Ferns Good Ground Cover? Exploring the Benefits and Best Uses of Ferns in Landscaping

Ferns are ancient plants that have existed on Earth for over 300 million years, making them one of the oldest plant groups around today These iconic plants feature gracefully arched fronds that lend an air of wild beauty to any garden But are ferns a good choice for ground cover in your yard? The short answer is yes – when used correctly, ferns can make excellent ground cover plants.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using ferns for ground cover, including their low maintenance needs, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. We’ll also go over the best practices for incorporating ferns into your landscaping, from site selection to pairing companion plants. Read on to learn why ferns deserve consideration for your next ground cover project.

Key Benefits of Using Ferns for Ground Cover

There are several reasons why ferns make ideal ground cover plants:

Low Maintenance
Once established, most ferns require little care or upkeep. Their rhizomatous growth habit allows them to efficiently spread and fill in space. Many types are also drought, pest, and disease resistant. This makes them a lower maintenance alternative to turf grass or other ground covers.

Provide Year-Round Interest
Many ferns maintain their graceful fronds through winter, while others feature new fiddlehead growth in spring. This provides multi-season interest compared to ground covers that die back. Evergreen ferns like Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) are particularly useful for year-round appeal.

Natural, Ornamental Look
The arching forms and intricate textures of ferns create a graceful, natural look popular in woodland gardens. They complement other shade plants like hostas. Certain varieties also offer ornamental appeal through their variegated or colored foliage.

Adaptability and Versatility
With dozens of fern species available, there are choices adapted to various site conditions like soil pH, moisture, and light levels. Small ferns like maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) can edge pathways, while larger ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) makes a dramatic background plant.

Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Deer and rabbits tend to avoid ferns, making them a good choice where these pests are a problem. Their resilience also helps ferns recover from any nibbling damage.

Best Practices for Using Ferns as Ground Cover

When incorporated thoughtfully into the landscape, ferns can solve challenging ground cover situations in shady or moist areas. Here are some best practices to ensure success:

• Site selection: Focus on using ferns in shady areas and sections of the yard that tend to collect moisture, such as near downspouts. Morning or dappled shade is ideal. Avoid hot, dry locations.

• Improving soil: Mix in compost or leaf mold to enrich soil nutrients and moisture holding capacity prior to planting. Topdress annually with compost.

• Plant spacing: Dense planting 6-12 inches apart ensures ferns will readily fill in as a lush ground cover mat.

• Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of shredded bark around ferns to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Replenish as needed.

• Division: Divide crowded ferns in early spring every 2-3 years. Replant divisions to revitalize growth or pass along to fellow gardeners.

• Companion plants: Combine ferns with shade-loving perennials like hostas, astilbes, and coral bells that share habitat preferences for optimal impact.

• Watch watering: Water ferns regularly after planting and during drought until established. Mature ferns are quite drought resilient once their root systems have developed.

By following these simple tips, you can unlock the potential of ferns to create a low maintenance living carpet in the shadiest areas of your landscape.

Top Species for Ground Cover Use

With hundreds of fern species to choose from, here is a selection of topperformers prized for ground cover use:

• Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum): Hardy in zones 4-9. Colorful silvery fronds with burgundy accents. 12-18 inches tall.

• Cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum): Hardy in zones 2-10. Grows 2-5 feet tall with spore producing cinnamon-colored center fronds.

• Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina): Hardy in zones 3-8. Lacy light green fronds on plants reaching 1-2 feet tall. Good in dry shade.

• Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): Evergreen hardy fern for zones 3-9. Grows 1-2 feet tall with dark green fronds.

• Japanese tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum): Hardy evergreen fern for zones 5-9 with cascading 2-3 foot long fronds.

• Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum): Hardy in zones 3-9. Long narrow fronds form 2-4 foot tall clumps.

• Wood fern (Dryopteris): A genus with many sturdy species adaptable to various conditions. Most reach 1-3 feet tall.

Experiment with several fern varieties to determine which thrive best in your growing conditions. Visit your local nursery for plenty of fantastic fern choices.

Ground Cover Solutions Made Easy with Ferns

Naturalistic, graceful, and versatile – ferns check off many boxes that make them a go-to ground cover for challenging shady sites. Their practically carefree growth habit once established saves you time and effort compared to lawn alternatives. For gardens seeking beauty with less maintenance, ferns are a plant group that absolutely deserves a spot in your landscaping plans.