Fern

Ferns add lush green texture and movement. Their delicate fronds invite touch, making them perfect for the sense of touch. They bring a cool, shaded feeling and a natural forest look to the planter.

Our planting records say only "fern," so we have not confirmed which species grows in the planter or whether it is native. Ferns do not flower, so they are not a nectar source, but native ferns such as lady fern, Christmas fern, and hay-scented fern provide cover for ground beetles, spiders, and salamanders that keep garden pests in check.

Quick facts

• Ferns reproduce by spores, not seeds.
• Many Long Island ferns are native, including Christmas fern and cinnamon fern.

How to grow it

• Shade to part shade.
• Keep evenly moist.
• Mulch with leaves.