Plants That Grow Well With Hardy Fern Ground Cover In Shady Areas

Ferns are a plant group that has existed for nearly 400 million years. So, it's no surprise that there are now an estimated 10,500 species living around the globe. Ferns owe their millennia-long survival to their ability to adapt to climates and environments where most plants would struggle to grow. Some of the most adaptable and easy-to-grow fern varieties are found in the Polystichum genus. The thick, sturdy fronds of Polystichum ferns are typically evergreen and tend to prefer either partial or full shade. This makes hardy ferns in this genus perfect for shady areas where grass won't grow.

Ferns can be used in a mass planting to create a full ground cover on their own. But, planting them with other shade-tolerant species creates a more visually interesting ground cover. It's also a good way to add more biodiversity to your yard so you can support local wildlife and pollinators. Whether you want a striking flowering plant that stands out against your Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) or another vibrant, evergreen species to pair with your sword fern (Polystichum munitum), there are plenty of options to choose from. You can even pair hardy ferns with shade-loving trees and shrubs that would normally create too much shade for other ground covers. Whatever your goals are, the key is to choose species that grow well in the same low-light and moist soil conditions that your hardy ferns prefer.

If you're planting hardy ferns as a ground cover, consider contrasting their feathery fronds with broadleaf evergreens to create an interesting tapestry of different textures in your shady yard. One of the best choices is Heartleaf wild ginger (Asarum arifolium), an evergreen that prefers the same shady woodland conditions as most ferns. Its heart-shaped, variegated leaves will stand out against your ferns. Other popular evergreen foliage pairings include Cast Iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) and Caladiums (Caladium). Neither are native to the United States, but they are often used to fill in shady garden beds.

For an even more visually striking blend of textures, mix in some shade-loving ornamental grasses. While not evergreen, native grasses like tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) still provide winter interest and will make your yard a bird and pollinator paradise. Other shade-tolerant ornamental grasses to plant alongside hardy ferns include river oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) and bottle brush grass (Elymus hystrix).

The unique texture and vibrant shades of green or yellow that ferns offer also make a great backdrop for flowers. For example, you can tuck some ferns between clumps of foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia). The shade-loving ground cover with spiky flowers is a showy native flower that also happens to boast evergreen foliage. Pairing it with an evergreen fern will give you year-round ground cover that will burst with fluffy, white flower heads every spring. Other shade-loving flowers that will grow well with hardy fern include red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), and sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum).

Hardy species like the native Christmas fern and Braum's Holly fern (Polystichum braunii) are great companion plants to put under trees because they prefer the dense shade of a tree canopy. If your yard is surrounded by trees that shade the area most of the day, you can embrace these conditions by planting a shade-loving understory tree or shrub and then filling in the area around its base with evergreen ferns. Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) are both great options that prefer growing in partial shade beneath taller trees.

Another native pick to pair with ferns is mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). The shade-tolerant shrub has evergreen foliage and is covered with white or pink blooms in spring and early summer. Ferns can fill in the area around the base where mountain laurel's multiple crooked stems might be bare. For a similar look, you can pair it with smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens). While not evergreen, the shade-tolerant, native hydrangea blooms continuously from late spring through early fall.

For gardeners who've struggled to keep any ground cover alive underneath their walnut trees, ferns might be the answer. Some varieties, including Christmas fern, seem to be tolerant of juglone, the plant-harming compound produced by black walnut trees and a few of its close relatives.