There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. australis –

Zones 4-8

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. wallichiana – Wallich’s Wood Fern – This deciduous fern from Asia and the Himalayas grows 3-6′ feet tall and 30″ wide. From erect rhizome sprouts shuttlecock of lance shaped, 2 pinnate or pinnatisect, dark green fronds, yellow-green when young, 36″ or more long. Midribs are covered with dark brown or black scales, providing striking color contrast in spring.

Zones 5-8

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. affinis – D. borreri – D. pseudomas – Golden Shield Fern – Golden Male Fern – This virtually evergreen fern found from Europe to the Himalayas and Asia, grows 3-4′ feet tall and 3′ feet wide. It produces shuttlecocks of lance shaped, 2 pinnate or pinnatisect fronds, 8-32″ tall, from an erect rhizome. Fronds are pale green as they unfurl in spring, in striking contrast to the scaly, golden brown midribs, they mature to dark green and often remain green through winter.

Zones 6-8

There are about 30 species of fast growing evergreen or semi evergreen, epiphytic ferns, in this genus. They occur from rainforest or more open habitats in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They have short, erect, rhizomes, with numerous runners. The dense clusters of pinnate, fishbone shaped fronds may be erect, spreading, or pendent. Pinnae are usually linear and simple, but may be divided, forked, or crisp in cultivars, of which there are many. Where not hardy, grow as a houseplant, in warmer climates grow in moist, shady sites among shrubs.

Indoors, grow in a mix of 1 part loam, 2 parts sharp sand, and 3 parts leaf mold, in bright filtered light, with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation. In the growing season, water moderately and apply a half strength, balance liquid fertilizer monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Out doors, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus rich soil in partial shade.

Prone to aerial blight, leaf spots, root rots, spider mites, scale insects, and mealy bugs.

N. cordifolia – Ladder Fern – Fishbone Fern – Southern Sword Fern – This fast growing, tufted fern grows 36″ tall and 5′ feet wide. It produces erect to arching, lance shaped to linear fronds, to 32″ long, with up to 70 pairs of oblong to linear pinnae, sometimes toothed at the tips. Can survive fairly dark and dry positions as well as in full sun

Zones 9-11

There are about 30 species of fast growing evergreen or semi evergreen, epiphytic ferns, in this genus. They occur from rainforest or more open habitats in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They have short, erect, rhizomes, with numerous runners. The dense clusters of pinnate, fishbone shaped fronds may be erect, spreading, or pendent. Pinnae are usually linear and simple, but may be divided, forked, or crisp in cultivars, of which there are many. Where not hardy, grow as a houseplant, in warmer climates grow in moist, shady sites among shrubs.

Indoors, grow in a mix of 1 part loam, 2 parts sharp sand, and 3 parts leaf mold, in bright filtered light, with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation. In the growing season, water moderately and apply a half strength, balance liquid fertilizer monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Out doors, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained, humus rich soil in partial shade.

Prone to aerial blight, leaf spots, root rots, spider mites, scale insects, and mealy bugs.

N. cordifolia ‘Lemon Buttons’ – Ladder Fern – Fishbone Fern – Southern Sword Fern – This fast growing, tufted fern grows 36″ tall and 5′ feet wide. It produces erect to arching, lance shaped to linear fronds, to 32″ long, with up to 70 pairs of oblong to roundish, reduced pinnae, sometimes toothed at the tips. Can survive fairly dark and dry positions as well as in full sun

Zones 9-11

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. filix-mas ‘Grandiceps Wills’ – Male Fern – This semi evergreen to deciduous, male fern grows 3′ feet tall and 3′ feet wide. It forms clump of lance shaped, 2 pinnate or pinnatifid, mid green, arching fronds, with the tip of each frond has a heavy crest as wide as the frond, and the pinnae are also finely crested, with green mid ribs, arising from a crown of large upright rhizomes.

Zones 4-8

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. filix-mas – Male Fern – This semi evergreen to deciduous fern from Europe, Asia and North America grows 3-4′ feet tall and 3′ feet wide. It forms clump of lance shaped, 2 pinnate or pinnatifid, mid green, arching fronds, 3-4′ feet tall, with green mid ribs, arising from a crown of large upright rhizomes.

Zones 4-8

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. filix-mas ‘Barnesii’ – Male Fern – This semi evergreen to deciduous fern, grows 4′ feet tall and 3′ feet wide. It forms clump of lance shaped, 2 pinnate or pinnatifid, mid green, arching, crested fronds, 3-4′ feet tall, with green mid ribs, arising from a crown of large upright rhizomes.

Zones 4-8

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. dilatata ‘Lepidota Cristata’ – D. austriaca ‘Lepidota Cristata’ – Broad Buckler Fern – This usually deciduous fern grows 2-3′ feet tall and 18″ inches wide. It produces shuttlecock of broadly triangular-lance shaped, 2 or 3 pinnate, with crested, dark green fronds, 8″ wide, with finely divided pinnules arising from an erect rhizome. Frond mid ribs and stalks are covered in conspicuous, dark brown scales with darker centers.

Zones 6-8

There are about 200 species of terrestrial ferns, in this genus. They occur mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in woodland, by stream or lakes, and among mountain rocks. Most are deciduous, or semi evergreen. Pinnate to 4 pinnate, sometimes pinnatisect fronds form shuttlecocks in most cultivated species. Spores are produced in kidney shaped sori. The foliage looks effective with most herbaceous plants and shrubs.

Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.

Prone to rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots.

D. erythrosora – Autumn Fern – Japanese Shield Fern – This usually deciduous fern from Eastern Asia grows 18-24″ tall and 12-15″ wide. From slow creeping rhizomes it produces a tuft of triangular, 2 or 3 pinnate fronds, 10-24″ long, these are copper-red when young, slowly turning slightly shiny, dark green. Undersides of fronds bear conspicuous masses of red sori, midribs are green. A striking border fern, grow in a protected, moist site.

Zones 5-9