As an avid hiker and nature lover, I’ve always been fascinated by the diverse plant life found in forests. Of all the plants, ferns are some of my favorites to spot while exploring wooded areas. With their graceful, arching fronds and lush texture, ferns add beauty and intrigue to shaded forest settings.
In this article, I’ll highlight 7 common ferns that you’re likely to encounter while hiking through woods in many parts of North America. Understanding how to identify these wild ferns will give you a greater appreciation for the botanical wonders of the forest.
Wood Fern
The wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis) is one of the most prevalent ferns growing in deciduous forests across eastern North America This hardy fern thrives in the shady, humid conditions found on forest floors
The wood fern has leathery, bright green fronds that can reach 18-24 inches tall. The fronds emerge in a vase shape from a crown on the soil surface. Older fronds remain evergreen through the winter before new growth appears in spring. The undersides of the fronds have brown spore cases along the margins.
Wood ferns make an excellent ground cover plant Once established, they form a lush colony that chokes out weeds They spread slowly via underground rhizomes. While not invasive, over time wood ferns will naturalize to cover large swaths of ground in ideal growing conditions.
Christmas Fern
Named for its winter hardiness, the Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) keeps its fronds green throughout cold weather. Hence, its evocative common name.
Christmas fern is an evergreen fern native to the woods of eastern North America. The leathery, glossy fronds have a dark green color that looks freshly polished. Fronds emerge from a central crown, forming a mound 1-2 feet tall and wide. The pinnae (leaflets) are spiny-toothed along the edges.
This fern thrives in acidic soils in part to full shade. Christmas ferns prefer moist, well-draining soil. They spread slowly by forming new plantlets on the stolons. In wild areas, Christmas ferns often grow under the dappled shade of deciduous trees.
Cinnamon Fern
The cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) is a large, showy fern commonly found growing near swamps, bogs, and stream banks in eastern North American woods. They thrive in consistently moist soils.
In early spring, cinnamon ferns send up upright fronds that can reach 3-4 feet tall. The lacy, light green leaves provide a striking vertical accent in the landscape. By midsummer, separate fertile fronds emerge. These turn rusty cinnamon brown when mature, giving the fern its common name.
Cinnamon ferns grow rapidly once established. Over time, they form large colonies from short underground rhizome growth. Their impressive size makes them an excellent backdrop fern for woodland gardens. Just be sure to give them sufficient space and wet soil.
Royal Fern
Royal ferns (Osmunda regalis) are a crown jewel of any forested wetland. Majestic fronds emerge in spring, quickly unfurling to heights of 3-5 feet. The blue-green bipinnate leaves have a regal appearance, befitting the fern’s royal name.
Royal ferns thrive in soggy soils and shallow water. Often found along streams and pond edges, they relish wet roots and humid air. Separate upright fronds produce rusty brown spore clusters by midsummer, contrasting nicely with the sterile green foliage.
In ideal swampy habitat, royal ferns naturalize vigorously to form sizable colonies. The long underground rhizomes creep steadily outward each year. Royal ferns can be grown in containers near water features or incorporated into rain gardens. Just beware—they require persistent wet soil.
Maidenhair Fern
With delicate, fan-shaped fronds, maidenhair ferns (Adiantum pedatum) are a woodland jewel. The wiry black stalks give them an airy, graceful appearance. Their lacy foliage provides delightful texture contrast when surrounded by broad-leaved plants.
The common maidenhair fern is widespread across moist, shaded sites in eastern North America. Typically reaching 8-18 inches tall, maidenhair ferns thrive in humus-rich soils. These ferns spread slowly by creeping rhizomes to form loose colonies over time.
Maidenhair ferns dislike hot sun and dry roots. In the home landscape, site them in part shade with regular watering. Their fine texture combines beautifully with evergreen groundcovers like pachysandra or vinca minor.
Marginal Wood Fern
Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis) has lacy green fronds with black stems and a graceful arching habit. The bright green color and fine texture provide delightful contrast intermixed with broad-leaved shade plants.
In nature, marginal wood ferns carpet the forest floor, often growing under stands of tall hardwoods. The fronds reach 1-2 feet tall from an underground crown. Over time, they spread slowly through rhizomatous growth to form colonies.
While they thrive in organically rich, moist soils, marginal wood ferns are easy to cultivate. They tolerate drier soils than many other ferns but need afternoon shade in hot climates. Use them as specimen plants or mass for groundcover in a woodland garden.
Northern Maidenhair Fern
The northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) stands out for its delicate, black stems and lacy foliage. This fern grows 6 to 18 inches tall and spreads steadily via underground rhizomes over time.
Northern maidenhair thrives in organically rich, moist soils across eastern North America. It frequently carpets the floor of deciduous forests, where the lacy fronds flutter gracefully in the breeze. The texture provides a beautiful contrast to broad-leaved woodland plants.
In cultivated gardens, site maidenhair ferns in dappled shade with shelter from hot sun. Persistent moisture is critical, especially during active growth in spring and summer. Northern maidenhair ferns combine beautifully with evergreen groundcovers like vinca minor or pachysandra.
Identifying Wild Ferns
As you explore forested areas, keep an eye out for these common ferns growing on the woodland floor. Notice their different shapes, sizes, and textures to help distinguish the various species.
With practice, you’ll soon be able to readily identify the unique characteristics of these wild ferns. Understanding how to recognize each type will give you a greater appreciation for the diverse botanical wonders that inhabit the shaded world below the forest canopy.
Ferns are an Ancient Plant Group
Ferns appeared 400 million years ago, long before dinosaurs and flowering plants. They reproduce with spores and don’t require pollination. There are about 12,000 species of ferns in existence worldwide.
How to Identify Ferns
Ferns can be hard to spot because you have to look at the shape of the leaves and leaflets, where the spores are found, how the fern grows, and where it grows. On top of that, young ferns may not have characteristics consistent with mature ferns. Lucky for you, we know what kind of fern we’re selling! If you want to learn more about ferns, how they evolved, and how to tell them apart, we have a great pocket-sized book called “Identifying Ferns the Easy Way” for sale in our gift shed.
While they may look a lot alike at first glance, there are differences between fern species. Some fronds are lacier than others. Some need more moisture than others. Most of them need shade, but a few will be OK in sun if you have enough moisture. Check your site conditions, then find a fern that will be happy in your landscape.
Hardy Evergreen Ferns you can plant now/Garden Style nw
FAQ
Do ferns grow in woodlands?
What is the name of the fern that grows on trees?
Do woodland ferns spread?
What is the best fern for wildlife?
Where do wood ferns grow?
Wood ferns most commonly grow on the forest floor, but you may also find them growing out of a rock face or the crotch of a tree. To be absolutely sure you have identified a wood fern, turn over a frond and inspect the undersides of the leaflets for small, kidney-shaped dots.
Do wood ferns grow in cold weather?
Wood ferns grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, although some may tolerate chilly winters as far north as zone 3. Wood fern plants thrive in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Like most woodland garden plants, they prefer slightly acidic conditions.
Are wood ferns evergreen?
Although many wood ferns are evergreen, some are deciduous, dying down in winter and springing back to life in spring. Wood ferns grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8, although some may tolerate chilly winters as far north as zone 3. Wood fern plants thrive in moist, rich, well-drained soil.
How do you grow wood ferns?
Wood fern plants thrive in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Like most woodland garden plants, they prefer slightly acidic conditions. Planting wood ferns in soil enriched with leaf mold, compost, or peat moss will help create good wood fern growing conditions. Wood fern plants require shade or semi-shade.
What is a wood fern?
Turn that shady spot in your backyard into a restful green landscape by planting wood ferns. Wood fern, also known as shield fern and buckler fern, is a tough, adaptable, medium-sized woodland fern with a bold texture. Unlike other ferns, which can be finicky, wood ferns are sturdy, strong, and easy to grow, and they require little maintenance.
What ferns can I plant in my garden?
But, if these needs can be met, the Lady Fern is one of the most lovely to grace the garden. Native Ferns, sword fern, deer fern, licorice fern, for spring, summer fall planting in containers and Northwest native gardens in Portland, Vancouver, Lake Oswego.