Ferns add shape and texture

Q: I'd like to add ferns to my garden, and don't know where to start. Would you suggest some good ones? I have both sun and shade.

A: Ferns add a texture to the garden that no other plant group can give. Or rather, an array of textures, because they come in a great variety. Ferns are all about foliage; the fronds bear no flowers. The evergreen forms look fresh most of the year and are usually cut back in late winter before new growth emerges. Deciduous types disappear in the winter. In the spring new fronds unfurl dramatically, languidly reaching out to embrace the world.

Most ferns, those with divided leaves, have fine textures. In the garden, combine these with contrasting leaf shapes, such as the broad leaves of hostas. Add in the scalloped round leaves of hardy geraniums and the glossy pointed leaves of epimedium, all happy in shade or part shade.

We often think of ferns as shade lovers, and most will do best in shady conditions. Many ferns, however, will take sun as long as they receive ample summer water. Some ferns also will do well with very little water once established. Read about the needs of each before placing them in your garden. Most will benefit from humus-rich soil; amend with compost before planting and add two inches on top each year.

One of my favorites is the robust male fern (Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust' or Dryopteris filix-mas 'Undulata robusta'). As the name suggests, it is a strong presence. In growing this plant I have learned that many ferns cannot just be tucked into a small corner; some need plenty of room to grow. A robust male fern will reach 4 feet high and wide. In my garden it grows in part shade and gets little summer water now that it is established. Semi-evergreen, the fronds relax onto the ground in winter. Clip them back in March or April before the new fronds unfurl.

Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) has a silver stripe down the middle of each frond on a darker background, and burgundy stems. It will brighten a shady area and grow to 15 inches high and 18 inches wide.

For a delicate look, grow western maidenhair fern (Adiantum aleuticum) with its radiating leaflets. It is a native that reaches 30 inches high and wide. Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) is an ubiquitous native. It cannot be called delicate, with sturdy looking dark evergreen bayonet-shaped fronds that can reach 4 feet.

Soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) has dense fronds that in some forms are held close to the ground to suggest a green starfish. Explore the many cultivars that were especially favored by the Victorians. Hart's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) has shiny strap-shaped fronds that are not divided. The leaves curl and have a most intriguing un-fernlike look.

Deer fern (Blechnum spicant) gets its unique look by having two types of fronds. The sterile fronds form an evergreen rosette on the ground. The erect fertile fronds emerge in summer. This is a tidy plant, 1 to 2 feet in size.

For the ultimate in ferns, grow a Tasmanian tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica). Tree ferns develop a trunk that can indeed be as tall as a tree, supporting a whorl of 6- to 9-foot fronds.

Even though this species is the hardiest of the tree ferns, it will need special care to get it through the winter. In the fall tie up the fronds and wrap the trunk with insulation.

Most retail nurseries have a selection of ferns. Two local specialty nurseries carry the hard-to-find ones. They are open by appointment and also sell by mail order. Fancy Fronds is in Gold Bar, east of Monroe on Highway 2. Its Web site is www.fancyfronds.com, and phone is 360-793-1472. Foliage Gardens is in Bellevue. Its Web site is www.foliagegardens.com, and phone is 425-747-2998.

Phil Wood has a degree in landscape architecture and designs and builds gardens. Call 206-464-8533 or e-mail thegardendesigner@seattletimes.com with your questions. Sorry, no personal replies.