Adiantum pedatum MAIDENHAIR FERN Fan shaped fronds rise with light green leaves set off by dark wiry stems that appear to be floating. Although delicate in appearance the growth is solid and will form large clumps 12 to 26 inches wide in time. In light shade, with fertile, well drained, moist and humusy soil, it will perform well from early spring to autumn. This polite slow spreader will remain a stable element in mixed plantings. Attractive as a specimen and among other choice plants.

Athyrium angustum forma rubellum 'Lady in Red' is a choice red stemmed lady fern.

Athyrium filix-femina LADY FERN is useful in woodland gardens as well as among other flowering plants or shrubs. The 18 to 38 in. fronds continue to emerge through late summer. Likes moisture, but does well in drier ground. Provides dense foliage, yet retains a delicate, soft appearance. Looks its freshest in the spring and summer. Self-sows well in moist, peaty soil that is fertile.

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' PAINTED FERN Best placed at a reasonable distance from others to allow years of display that show the beauty of its arching character, as well as its beautiful colors. Stalk and foliage have a purplish red tint covered with a gray, nearly silver sheen. Glints when wet, very attractive. It is deciduous, but hardy, needing neutral to slightly acidic, moist, fertile soil.

Athyrium The following ferns are newly selected crosses (x) between Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' and Athyrium felix femina showing similar traits to and carrying distinctive spin offs of each cultivar. A. 'Ghost' is attractive to the designer because the silver is more pronounced and its arching clumps are little taller in comparison to the painted fern. A. (x) 'Brandford Rambler' will spread quicker than the lady fern, sporting its delicate trait with the silvery blue hues. A. 'Branford Beauty' combines the form of lady fern and colors of painted fern with bold red stems.

Blechnum spicant Deer Fern has rich deep green leathery fronds, which remain attractive well into the winter.  Plants are compact and neat in appearance, growing from 1 to 3 feet.  Sterile fronds are 8 to 20 inches long and comprise the majority of the plant.  Fertile fronds are considerably longer being 16 to 36 inches and stand erect from the base of the clump.  Plants can be found growing naturally throughout the Pacific Northwest in moist coniferous soils.  Plants strongly prefer rich humus acidic soils.

Dennstaedtia punctilobula HAY-SCENTED FERN Light green fragrant leaves. Will form large patches when left to naturalize. Native fern commonly found in our local woods. Will grow in sun or shade.

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Undulata Robusta' MALE FERN Has lush fronds that reach 3 ft. in an arching manner. Thrives in semi-shade in a rich, neutral to acid, humus soil that is moist. To encourage profuse new growth, cut back in early spring. A good vigorous, semi-evergreen groundcover and also useful in grouped plantings of several clumps, or as individual plants. Dryopteris marginalis MARGINAL SHIELD FERN North American native found in shady woodlands. Strong foliage is semi evergreen even in our cold winters, having a leathery, deeply veined leaf. Colors of growing leaves from spring into summer change from yellow green, to gray green, and finally to blue green. A handsome specimen fern often found alone by a rock in the wild. Also an excellent ground cover, as dead leaves of previous years holds soil on slopes. Easily grown in shady loamy soil, prefers deep, stony, well-aged leaf mold, with consistent moisture especially in summer. Dryopteris (x) australis DIXIE WOOD FERN has a strong upright habit with large dark green semi-evergreen leaves. Dryopteris erythrosora AUTUMN FERN has broad tiangular fronds that emerge bronze colored in spring and mature to shiny deep green. In the fall bright red sori (clusters of spore cases) are produced on the under sides of the fronds.

Matteuccia struthiopteris OSTRICH FERN Large fronds that begin as an emerald green and deepen in color as the season progresses. They extend 2 to 5 ft. from a circular center point and arch outward. Requires acid, fertile, loamy moist soil, with regular watering for best growth. In addition to woodland areas and filtered shade, it serves as an excellent backdrop and foil for shorter plants if semi confined by shrubs or structure. Ostrich fern vigorously spreads forming new clusters of fronds along the way, but is not overly invasive.

Osmunda cinnamomea CINNAMON FERN Fronds reach 2 to 5 ft. in a vase formation presenting bright green arching foliage that deepens as it matures with center leaves of a blue green color, which turn to a cinnamon brown. Vigorous growth occurs in moist or swampy areas. Grows well in damp, open shade with acid, humusy, rich soil. Great long-lived fern and a choice specimen for the back of the shade garden. Osmunda regalis ROYAL FERN has fronds that extend from 3 ft. and up to 6 ft. if soil is consistently wet. Appear green with hints of red in spring, shading to a deep green into summer. Arching in dense clumps, its foliage is rounded, strong and stately, instead of delicate or lacy in comparison to other ferns. Use at waterside areas in moist to wet fertile soil.

Polystichum acrostichoides CHRISTMAS FERN Leathery evergreen fronds extending 12 to 24 in., in spring a light silvery green that deepens to a rich green with summer. Fronds fall over with arrival of new growth. Prefer part shade and moist, fertile woods soil that is not too rich, with stony mulch. Will tolerate sun to part sun areas if kept moist. Use in open shaded areas, or on slopes leaving old fallen foliage to control erosion where desirable.