Planting and Care

1 Ferns should be planted in dappled shade or where the site receives early morning sun. They mostly prefer slightly acidic soils and those rich in organic matter, which will hold onto moisture at their roots.

2 They will only thrive if drainage is good, although aspleniums grow best in limy soils. These include the Crispum Cristatum Group that have attractive ruffled fronds, and Polystichum setiferum, the soft shield fern that has new fronds resembling octopus tentacles and mature to soft, much divided, mossy green pinnae.

3 Dryopteris is highly tolerant to dry shade, so does well in shallow, stony soils and Drypoteris filix-mas will grow in the deepest, darkest shade so will survive spots where most other plants would die.

4 Ferns generally require very little maintenance throughout the year, but will continue to look at their best if yellowing deciduous fronds are removed in late autumn and older fronds on evergreen varieties are removed in late winter or early spring to make room for new growth.