The Well-Tended Perennial Garden The Essential Guide to Planting and Pruning Techniques, Third Edition

maidenhair (zones 5–8), is semi-

evergreen and reaches 6 in. × 3 ft. It is

slow to get established. Athyrium

filix-femina, lady fern (zones 4–8), is a

deciduous fern that grows to 3 ft. It

tolerates considerable sun if given

steady moisture. The fronds of this

plant break off easily; shield it from

errant foot traffic or soccer balls. Over

the years lady fern crowns tend to rise

up from the ground, and they benefit

from being dug up and reset at soil

level. Anisocampium niponicum

‘Pictum’, formerly Athyrium niponi-

cum ‘Pictum’, Japanese painted fern

(zones 4–9), is deciduous and reaches

18 in. When happy, it will continue to

put out new foliage all season and will

spread steadily.

Dryopteris erythrosora, autumn fern

(zones 5–8), is an evergreen fern that

grows to 30 in. It is easily grown and is

relatively drought tolerant once

established. It often continues to send

up colorful new foliage throughout

the summer. Dryopteris erythrosora

‘Brilliance’ has stunning copper-

colored spring foliage that lasts

especially long and returns in the

autumn. Dryopteris filix-mas, male

fern (zones 4–8), is deciduous and

reaches 4 ft. It is more accepting of sun

than other ferns. It increases steadily

via short rhizomes. Matteuccia

struthiopteris, ostrich fern (zones 2–6),

is a deciduous fern that can grow to 6

ft. It is often found in wet, mucky,

alkaline soils in the wild but grows

well in regular garden conditions, too.

It multiplies quickly by stolons.

Ostrich fern is not a fan of hot climates.

Onoclea sensibilis, sensitive fern

(zones 2–10), is a deciduous fern that

grows to 3 ft. It tolerates sun, but

whether planted in sun or shade, it

needs moist soil. The foliage usually

looks rough late in the season.

Sensitive fern is a quick spreader.

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum,

formerly Osmunda cinnamomea,

cinnamon fern (zones 2–10), is a

deciduous fern that grows to 4 ft. It is

easily grown in part shade and moist

soil. It prefers acid soil. Osmunda

claytoniana, interrupted fern (zones

2–8), is deciduous and reaches 4 ft. It is

native to woodlands and woodland

edges and appreciates consistent

moisture. Osmunda regalis, royal fern

(zones 2–10), is also deciduous and can

reach 6 ft. or more. It will grow in full

sun in boggy sites and prefers acid soil

but grows reliably in alkaline soil. It

commands attention during the

growing season but leaves a consider-

able gap in the winter. Polystichum

acrostichoides, Christmas fern (zones

3–9), is an evergreen fern that grows to

2 ft. It requires part shade and favors

moist, woodsy sites but can cope with

somewhat dry soil. It forms new

crowns from short rhizomes, and these

may be separated carefully in early

spring. Christmas fern’s spores form on

the terminal third of selected fronds;

this section of the leaf naturally

withers and falls off after the spores are

released, so don’t worry that there is

something wrong with the plant when

this happens. Polystichum polyblepha-

rum, tassel fern (zones 5–8), is ever-

green and reaches 2 ft. It needs regular

moisture but good drainage, especially

in winter.

Filipendula rubra

‘Venusta’

queen-of-the-prairie

r oSaceae

Fluffy deep rose flowers; compound leaves

4–6 ft. high; 4 ft. wide

Full sun

Blooms July–August

Zones 3–9

Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta'