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Ferns for Shady Areas

The shaded side of the house, the gap beneath established trees, the courtyard that never sees direct sun: this is where ferns do what almost nothing else can. The range here covers ferns for shady areas at every scale, from 5m tree ferns for instant rainforest structure down to birds nest ferns for a pot by the door. The real choice is between depth of shade, available moisture and your winter temperatures, and the guide below the grid walks through each.

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Choosing ferns for shady areas

Start with the scale of the space. For height and canopy, the Fern Tree (Cyathea cooperi) is the fastest growing of the tree ferns, reaching about 5m with a 3.5m spread of fronds, while the Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea australis) builds its trunk slowly, taking around fifteen years to reach the same height. At ground level, Silver Lady Fern makes a neat 90cm rosette on a short trunk, the Variegated Giant Sword Fern fills space quickly at 1.2m, and birds nest ferns hold glossy 80cm shuttlecocks of foliage. The Elkhorn Fern skips soil altogether: mount it on a board or tree trunk and let the clump spread to a metre across.

Then be honest about the shade itself. Dappled or morning light suits nearly everything here; deep permanent shade with constant moisture is King Fern territory, and hot afternoon sun burns fern fronds no matter how much you water.

Ferns and your winter temperature

In tropical and subtropical gardens every fern in this collection grows outdoors year round. In warm temperate gardens most still thrive in a sheltered spot. In cooler southern gardens the list narrows: the Rough Tree Fern is fully frost hardy, the Fern Tree takes light frost in a protected position, and the frost tender birds nest, crocodile and king ferns are best grown in pots and moved under a verandah or indoors for winter. Our partial shade range has broader company for them.

Planting and spacing

  • Tree ferns. Plant 2m apart for a grove, closer than any other tree spacing, because the trunks stay slim and the canopies layer.
  • Understorey ferns. Variegated Giant Sword Fern at 1m centres, Terrestrial Elkhorn at 50cm for a massed carpet.
  • Epiphytes. Elkhorns strap to a hardwood board or tree with soft ties; no soil, just a pad of sphagnum behind the plant.

All ground planted ferns want rich, moisture holding soil with compost dug through, and 50mm to 75mm of mulch.

Water, humidity and feeding

Moisture is the whole game. Water tree ferns down the crown and trunk in summer, not just at the roots, and never let the root zone dry out completely in the warm months. Shelter all ferns from hot dry wind, which desiccates fronds faster than sun. Feed sparingly: half strength liquid fertiliser through the growing season is plenty, and slow release pellets suit pots.

Common questions

Which ferns handle frost?

The Rough Tree Fern is frost hardy and grows as far south as cool temperate gardens. The Fern Tree copes with light frost once established. The rest are frost tender, so treat them as pot plants in cold districts.

Are ferns safe around pets?

Most ferns here carry our Pet Friendly flag, including the birds nest ferns, Elkhorn, Silver Lady and the sword ferns. Handle tree ferns with gloves though, as the trunk scales and frond hairs can irritate skin.

Can these ferns grow indoors?

The birds nest ferns, Crocodile Fern and Terrestrial Elkhorn all suit bright rooms out of direct sun, and they appreciate a bathroom's humidity. Browse our tropical plant range for companions.

How fast do tree ferns grow?

The Fern Tree is the quick one, putting on noticeable trunk each year with summer water. The Rough Tree Fern moves slowly, which is exactly why advanced specimens cost more and are worth it.