Growing Ferns in Big Bend, Wisconsin

Garden Ferns
Garden - Over the years, we have attempted to grow several temperate ferns in our outdoor garden in Big Bend, Wisconsin (USDA Zone 5). All were overwintered outdoors. These ferns were grown in enriched raised beds composed of over 50% well aged composted manure. Beds were lightly fertilized with Osmocote 15-9-12 time release fertilizer (9 months). Most beds were shaded beneath the canopy of coniferous trees (Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine). Plants were watered with well water (290 TDS) from the garden hose during dry periods. The following records report our observations and findings about growing these garden ferns.

Garden Ferns

Garden - Over the years, we have attempted to grow several temperate ferns in our outdoor garden in Big Bend, Wisconsin (USDA Zone 5). All were overwintered outdoors. These ferns were grown in enriched raised beds composed of over 50% well aged composted manure. Beds were lightly fertilized with Osmocote 15-9-12 time release fertilizer (9 months). Most beds were shaded beneath the canopy of coniferous trees (Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine). Plants were watered with well water (290 TDS) from the garden hose during dry periods. The following records report our observations and findings about growing these garden ferns.

Fern
Photograph Genus species 'Cultivar' - OR -
Genus Hybrid 'Cultivar'
Description and grower
Adiantum pedatum

Common Name: = Northern Maidenhair Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B31 DEAD, B33 Barely Alive.
Grower: 5/25/2001 K. Van Bourgandien.
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Our plants survive in the garden, but they do not thrive. Plants decline during the heat of summer. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 12 inches, struggling, looks dehydrated.
09/18/2008 Barely Alive.
05/27/2009 Barely Alive.

Future image Adiantum venustrum

Common Name: = .
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Arachniodes standishii

Common Name: = Upside Down Fern (PDN).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Korea, Uulong Island.
Grown in trial bed: B24.
Grower#1: 4/20/2007 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). DEAD.
Grower#2: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).

Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. First season produced healthy growth. It did not re-appear in the garden in 2008. Typical height 18 inches.
05/25/2008 #1 DEAD.
09/18/2008 #1 DEAD.
05/28/2009 #1 DEAD. Dug out remains and examined.
06/04/2009 #2 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina

Common Name: = Common Ladyfern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B28
Grower: 6/22/2005 Northwind Perennial Farm (Lake Geneva, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Healthy growing plant. Typical height 20 inches.
05/25/2008 DEAD.
09/18/2008 DEAD.
05/28/2009 DEAD.

Future image Athyrium filix-femina subspecies cyclosorum

Common Name: = .
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to western US.
Grown in trial bed: B32, B34
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Dre's Dagger'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Lady Fern.
Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe?
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 7/1/2006 Menomonee Falls, WI.
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. This is likely a sport of 'Victoriae'. Pinna along frond criss cross. Tip of frond crested. Typical height 10 inches.
05/21/2008 6 inches, fronds attractive and feathery in appearance, healthy plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Encourage'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Lady Fern.
Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe?
Grown in trial bed: B22, B32
Grower: 8/25/2003 Klehm (IL).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Encourage' is a "crested form" where fronds are forked at the tip. Interesting and attractive addition to the showy garden. Nice clump forming specimen plant. Typical height 10 inches.
05/21/2008 4 inches, fronds thin, horizontally sprawling, healthy plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Lady Fern.
Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe?
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 5/30/2004 Hwy 73 Farm Market (Plainfield, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Frizelliea' is a "congested form" where pinna produce button-like leaflets along the rachis. Interesting and attractive addition to the showy garden. Nice clump forming specimen plant. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 6 inches, fronds attractive and somewhat feathery in appearance.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 healthy plant, but very slow to leaf out.

Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae'

Common Name: = Victoria Lady Fern.
Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe?
Grown in trial bed: B25
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Victoriae' is a "cruciate form" where each pinna produce dual forks. Forks are held at 45 degree angles from the rachis. Each pinna half crosses the following pinna. The frond is essentially a series of crisscrossed leaflets. Interesting and attractive addition to the showy garden. Nice clump forming specimen plant. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 6 inches, fronds attractive and feathery in appearance, healthy plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina ssp. angustum
(Synonym: Athyrium angustum)
(Synonym: Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum)
Additional Image
Common Name: = Subarctic Lady Fern (USDA), Northern Lady Fern.
Species native to Wisconsin, subspecies exotic to Wisconsin. Subspecies native to Europe and Asia.
Grown in trial bed: B22
Grower: .
Desc: Grown in part sun, richly composted raised bed. Vigorous growing plant that does not spread. Typical height 20 inches.
05/25/2008 17 inches, robust plant.
09/18/2008 nice, some burnt leaves.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina ssp. angustum 'Lady In Red'
(Synonym: Athyrium angustum 'Lady In Red')
(Synonym: Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum 'Lady In Red')
(Synonym: Athyrium angustum forma rubellum 'Lady In Red')
Common Name: = Lady Fern.
Species native to Wisconsin, subspecies exotic to Wisconsin. Subspecies native to Europe and Asia.
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 7/1/2005 3D Greenhouses (Mukwonago, WI).

Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Cloned (tissue cultured) from plant discovered by New England Wildflower Society. Burgundy red colored stems. Our plant displays strikingly more burgundy red color then the ordinary Athyrium filix-femina. Typical height 15 inches.
05/25/2008 10 inches, feather fronds, robust plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina x niponicum 'Branford Beauty'

Common Name: = Branford Beauty Fern.
Ancestory =
50% Athyrium filix-femina
50% Athyrium niponicum
Exotic to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B28
Grower: 7/1/2005 3D Greenhouses (Mukwonago, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Attractive colored fronds, but not as striking as 'Ghost'. Hardy grower that does not spread. Typical height 20 inches. Nick Nicou (Branford, CT) hybrid of Athyrium filix-femina x Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'.
05/25/2008 10 inches, erect fronds, slow to emerge.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium filix-femina x niponicum 'Ghost'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Ghost fern.
Ancestory =
50% Athyrium filix-femina
50% Athyrium niponicum
Exotic to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B28, B32
Grower#B32: 5/30/2004 Hwy 73 Farm Market (Plainfield, WI).
Grower#B28: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Attractive and unique light colored fronds. Hardy grower, but does not spread. This is an excellent addition to the showy garden. Typical height 25 inches. Nancy Swell (Virginia) hybrid of Athyrium filix-femina x Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'.
05/21/2008 #B28 14 inches, strong erect growth, reddish tint to stem and fronds, heathy plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Japanese Painted Fern.
Native to Japan.
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 7/10/2004 Terra Nova (Tigard, OR).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. The 'Burgundy Lace' cultivar is greatly over-rated. We found the burgundy color to be nearly indistinguisable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern. Without our field notes, we would have a difficult time finding this cultivar among a mixed bed of Japanese Painted Ferns. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 4 inches tall, fronds mostly extend horizontally - not upright, attractive reddish and silver tint fronds, but indistinguishable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium niponicum 'Pewter Lace'

Common Name: = Japanese Painted Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Japan.
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 7/10/2004 Terra Nova (Tigard, OR).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. The 'Pewter Lace' cultivar is greatly over-rated. We found the pewter color to be nearly indistinguisable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern. Without our field notes, we would have a difficult time finding this cultivar among a mixed bed of Japanese Painted Ferns. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 4 inches tall, fronds mostly extend horizontally - not upright, attractive reddish and silver tint fronds, but indistinguishable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Japanese Painted Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Japan.
Grown in trial bed: B28, B32, B33
Grower: 5/1/1997 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 4 inches tall, fronds mostly extend horizontally - not upright, attractive reddish and silver tint fronds.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Athyrium otophorum

Common Name: = Asian Lady Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China and Japan.
Grown in trial bed: B32, F
Grower#1: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). DEAD.
Grower#2: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Leaves lay out mostly horizontal. Not a vigorous grower in our zone. Late to leaf out (July). One plant did not re-appear in the garden in 2008 (dead). New replacement specimen planted 2008. Attractive small specimen plant. Typical height 10 inches.
09/18/2008 #2 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 #2 healthy plant.

Blechnum penna-marina subspecies alpine
Additional Images
Common Name: = .
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia.
Grown in trial bed: L31, F
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 2 inches.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 Barely Alive.

Future image Blechnum spicant

Common Name: = Deer Fern (USDA).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Western US.
Grown in trial bed: B25
Grower: 7/6/2006 Prospect Hill Nursery (Milwaukee, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. It did not re-appear in the garden in 2007. Typical height 10 inches.
05/25/2008 DEAD.
09/18/2008 DEAD.
05/28/2009 DEAD.

Cyrtomium fortunei
Collection #AIK-140
Additional Images
Common Name: = Asian Netvein Hollyfern (USDA).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China, Japan, Korea.
Grown in trial bed: B25
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Fronds lay out mostly horizontal. Very interesting and attractive holly like leaves. Excellent exotic addition to the garden. Healthy growing plant. Typical height 15 inches.
05/25/2008 Barely Alive.
09/18/2008 Barely Alive.
05/28/2009 DEAD.

Dennstaedtia punctiloba
(additional image)

Common Name: = Eastern Hayscented Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B14
Grower: 8/31/2005 Johnson Nursery (Menomonee Fall, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Feathery fronds that often appear to be drooping from dehydration, even when properly watered. This drooping habit makes the plant less desirable in a showy garden. Typical height 10 inches.
05/25/2008 10 inches, drooping fronds, looks dehydrated, not attractive.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Diplazium pycnocarpon
synonym Athyrium pycnocarpon
Additional Images
Common Name: = Glade Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B32
Grower: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Erect and sturdy fronds. Typical height 12 inches.
05/21/2008 11 inches, strong erect growth, seems to be expanding.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Barnes'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Crisped Golden-scaled Male (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: L31
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Label note lists cambrensis.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Golden Scaled Male Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: B34
Grower: 8/31/2005 Kathy's Greenhouse (Menomonee Fall, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Cristata' is a forked form where fronds are split off at the tip. The form is not as dramatic as Lady Fern types, but still interesting and distinctive. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
06/04/2009 declining plant, moved from B26 to B34 (more sun).

Future image Dryopteris affinis 'Revolvens'

Common Name: = .
Grown in trial bed: L31, B34
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris x australis
(Synonym: Dryopteris Australis)
Additional Images
Common Name: = Dixie Wood Fern (USDA).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Southeast US.
Grown in trial bed: B26
Grower#1: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Grower#2: 7/20/2006 Lowes (Delavan, WI). DEAD.
Note: This fern was re-titled as "x australis" as recommended by Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds per private email correspondence.
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 25 inches. Naturally occurring hybrid of Dryopteris celsa x Dryopteris ludoviciana.
05/21/2008 #1 15 inches, erect fronds, but few in number, fern is declining in size, not happy.
09/18/2008 #1 nice, some new growth.
06/04/2009 #1 declining plant, moved from B26 to B34 (more sun).

Future image Dryopteris bissetiana

Common Name: = Beaded Wood Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Southeast US.
Grown in trial bed: B41
Grower: 8/26/2003 3D Greenhouses (Mukwonago, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 10 inches.
05/21/2008 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Barely Alive.
09/18/2008 recovered nicely, some new growth.
05/28/2009 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Moved from B26 (deep shade) to B41 (part sun).

Dryopteris blanfordii
Additional Images
Common Name: = unknown.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to unknown.
Grown in trial bed: L31
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Fern is not listed in my fern reference books or on Fancy Fronds website.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 DEAD.

Future image Dryopteris campyloptera

Common Name: = Mountain woodfern (USDA).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to eastern US.
Grown in trial bed: B34
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New. Note from Fancy Fronds, "or hybrid of carthusiana".
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris carthusiana
(synonym Dryopteris austriaca)
(synonym Dryopteris spinulosa)
Additional Images
Common Name: = Spinulose Woodfern (USDA), Toothed Wood Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to US.
Grown in trial bed: B15, B34, Front
Grower#B15: unknown.
Grower#B34: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 20 inches.
05/21/2008 #B15 7 inches, feathery fronds angled - not erect, healthy plant.
09/18/2008 #B15 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 #B15 declining plant.
06/04/2009 #B34 healthy plant.

Future image Dryopteris celsa

Common Name: = Log Fern (USDA).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to eastern USA.
Grown in trial bed: B15
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 25 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 Barely Alive.

Future image Dryopteris clintonia

Common Name: = Clintons woodfern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin. Native to eastern US.
Grown in trial bed: L31, B41
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Narrow Hybrid Golden-scaled Male (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris x complexa 'Stableri'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Narrow Hybrid Golden-scaled Male (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris x complexa 'Stableri Crisped'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Crisped Narrow Hybrid Golden-scaled Male (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Future image Dryopteris crassirhizoma

Common Name: = China Woodfern (KP).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China, Japan.
Grown in trial bed: L31, B41
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Future image Dryopteris dilatata 'Cristata'

Common Name: = Spreading Woodfern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin. Native to northern US.
Grown in trial bed: L31, B34, B24, Front
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris erythrosora
Additional Images
Common Name: = Japanese Red Shield Fern. Autumn Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Japan and China.
Grown in trial bed: B22, L31
Grower#B22: 5/1/2004 Northwind Perennial Farm (Lake Geneva, WI). DEAD.
Grower#B22: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). DEAD.
Grower#L31: 7/1/2008 Luxemburg Gardens (Franklin, WI).DEAD.

Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Spring growth begins late, first leaves are not completely opened until June 10th. Fronds are initially reddish bronze colored, then fade to dark green.
05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. Known to be a late grower.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/28/2009 #L31 DEAD.

Dryopteris filix-mas
Additional Images
Common Name: = Male Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B15
Grower: 8/4/2005 Home Depot (Milwaukee, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Clump forming. Healthy growing fern that is substantially smaller than Dryopteris marginalis. It's a nice garden fern, but nothing special. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 14 inches, erect fronds, attractive and healthy plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Future image Dryopteris filix-mas 'Barnesii'

Common Name: = Narrow Male Fern (FF).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: B33
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata Jackson'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Crested Male Fern (FF).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata Martindale'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Fish-tail Crested Male Fern (FF).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 declined plant.

Future image Dryopteris filix-mas 'Grandiceps'

Common Name: = Grandicapital Male Fern (FF).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: L31, B52
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Grandiceps Wills'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Grandicapital Male Fern (FF).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches.
09/18/2008 ok, little growth.
05/27/2009 Barely Alive.

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Slender Crested Male Fern (FF).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 7/1/2006 ?? (Milwaukee, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 13 inches, fronds erect, healthy plant, clump is slightly expanding. Note: This fern was re-identified as form 'Linearis Polydactyla' by Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds per private email correspondence.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Parsley'
Additional Images
Common Name: = Male Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form.
Grown in trial bed: B52
Grower: 7/1/2006 ?? (Milwaukee, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches.
05/21/2008 10 inches, fronds erect, robust plant, clump has double in size over last year.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris goldiana
Additional Images
Common Name: = Goldie's Woodfern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B15, B33, F.
Grower#1: 5/1/1999 Shady Oaks Nursery (MN).
Grower#2: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Does not transplant well. Alive, but not vigorous. Very few fronds are produced. Clump forming, but clump does not expand. Typical height 30 inches.
05/21/2008 28 inches (tallest fern in our trial gardens), erect fronds, but few in number, attractive but very slow to expand size of clump.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris kuratae
Additional Images
Common Name: = unknown.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia.
Grown in trial bed: B34
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
06/04/2009 barely alive, moved from L31 to B34 (more sun).

Dryopteris marginalis
Additional Images
Common Name: = Marginal Woodfern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin. Typically found on shaded cliffs.
Grown in trial bed: B15, B32, B34
Grower: 5/25/2001 Wild Ones (WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Slightly bluish green cast to fronds. Nice strongly upright shape, vase like. Hardy clump grower, but does not spread. Healthy, vigorous, and attractive garden fern. This is a most overlooked species that has great appeal for the gardener. Typical height 25 inches.
05/21/2008 21 inches, erect fronds in distinctive vase like form, robust plant.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
06/04/2009 healthy plant, moved from B32 to B34 (more sun).

Dryopteris x remota
(Synonym: Dryopteris Remota)
Additional Images
Common Name: = Glade Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Naturally occuring hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris expansa, native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: B26
Grower: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI).
Note: This fern was re-titled as "x remota" as recommended by Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds per private email correspondence.
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 10 inches.
05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. Known to be a late grower.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/28/2009 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Moved from B26 (deep shade) to B41 (part sun).

Dryopteris oreades
Additional Images
Common Name: = .
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: L31
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Smaller than D. filix-mas with more narrow blades. Typical height 15 inches.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris sacrosancta
Additional Images
Common Name: = .
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia.
Grown in trial bed: L31
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris stewartii
Additional Images
Common Name: = Stewart's Wood Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia.
Grown in trial bed: L31
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Future image Dryopteris sub-atrata

Common Name: = Shaggy Woodfern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: B34, B24
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Dryopteris tokyoensis
Additional Images
Common Name: = Tokyo Wood Fern.
Native to Japan, Korea.
Grown in trial bed: B41
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches.
05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. Known to be a late grower.
09/18/2008 ok, little growth.
05/28/2009 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Moved from B26 (deep shade) to B41 (part sun).

Future image Dryopteris x separabilis

Common Name: = Separate Woodfern (FF).
Hybrid of Dryopteris celsa x Dryopteris intermedia.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to eastern US.
Grown in trial bed: B34, B24
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Matteuccia struthiopteris
Additional Images
Common Name: = Ostrich Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B21, P, F
Grower: 7/7/1998 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Most agressive fern (almost weedy aggressive). Once established, the fern spreads out via underground runners to produce new off shoots. One plants fills in 5 ft x 5 ft section in 5 years. In wet areas, it expands more rapidly. We removed it from our small trail beds where its aggressive nature smothered out neighboring plants. We use it along border areas to stabilize slopes. Attractive plant, but it does not play well with others. Typical height 25 inches.
05/25/2008 on moist hillside fern is thickly growing, quickly expanding, 25 inches tall or larger. On dry hillside, 14 inches tall, colony not greatly expanding.
09/18/2008 nice, typical late summer burning and yellowing.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Onoclea sensibilis
Additional Images
Common Name: = Sensitive Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B27, B31, B32, B33
Grower: 5/25/2000 K. Van Bourgandien.
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Autumn fronds turn yellow color.
05/21/2008 9 inches, erect fronds, new straight runners form just below soil surface and extend 1 or 2 feet from parent plant, produces new shoots every 4 inches along runner, healthy plant.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Osmunda cinnamomea

Common Name: = Cinnamon Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B27, B24
Grower: 6/27/2005 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 24 inches.
05/21/2008 15 inches, erect sterile fronds, no fertile fronds observed, fronds few in number, not robust.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Osmunda claytoniana
Additional Images
Common Name: = Interrupted Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B27
Grower: 7/7/1998 Holdridge (Lake Nocomis, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 24 inches. Autumn fronds turn golden brown color.
05/21/2008 18 inches, erect fronds with mid-frond fertile spore body forming, healthy plant.
09/18/2008 ok, little growth, significant dieback.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Osmunda regalis
Additional Images
Common Name: = Royal Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B22, B27
Grower: 5/1/1999 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Autumn fronds turn golden brown color.
05/21/2008 20 inches, erect fronds with top-frond fertile spore body forming, robust plant.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Polystichum acrostichoides
Additional Images
Common Name: = Christmas Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B21, B22, B25
Grower: 5/8/1998 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Feathery fronds. This is one of the must have ferns for the collector. It performs well in either shade or sun. Typical height 15 inches.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Future image Polystichum aculeatum

Common Name: = Hard Shield Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: B34
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: New.
6/4/2009 healthy plant.

Polystichum braunii
Additional Images
Common Name: = Braun's Holly Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin.
Grown in trial bed: B34, B25
Grower: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). DEAD
Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Very attractive fronds. This is one of our best new finds. Healty plant, but slow to expand. Typical height 10 inches.
05/25/2008 #B25 Barely alive.
09/18/2008 #B25 Barely Alive.
05/27/2009 #B25 DEAD.
6/4/2009 #B34 healthy plant.

Future image Polystichum neolobatum (alpine form)

Common Name: = Spiny Holly Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia.
Grown in trial bed: B24
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 10 inches. Alpine form.
09/18/2008 unknown.
05/27/2009 DEAD.

Polystichum makinoi

Common Name: = Makino Shield Fern (PDN).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China to India.
Grown in trial bed: B24.
Grower: 4/20/2007 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). DEAD.
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 24 inches.
05/25/2008 Barely Alive.
09/18/2008 DEAD.
05/27/2009 DEAD.

Future image Polystichum x dycei

Common Name: = Dyce's Hybrid Holly Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe.
Grown in trial bed: B24
Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 10 inches.
09/18/2008 ok, little growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Polystichum polyblepharum

Common Name: = Korean Tasselfern (USDA).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native Japan to Korea.
Grown in trial bed: B25
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Fern has declined in 2006 and 2007. It is barely alive. Typical height 6 inches.
05/25/2008 Barely Alive.
09/18/2008 Barely Alive.
05/27/2009 Barely Alive.

Future image Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosomultilobum'

Common Name: = Plumose Soft Shield Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. .
Grown in trial bed: B34, B41
Grower#B41: 05/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Grower#B34: 06/04/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 10 inches.
09/18/2008 #B41 ok, little growth.
06/04/2009 #B41 barely alive, moved from B25 to B41 (more sun).
06/04/2009 #B34 healthy plant.

Polystichum xiphophyllum
Additional Images
Common Name: = The X Fern (PDN). Sword-leaved Holly Fern (FF)
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China.
Grown in trial bed: B25
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Fern has declined in 2006 and 2007. It is barely alive. Typical height 6 inches.
05/25/2008 DEAD.
09/18/2008 DEAD.
05/27/2009 DEAD.

Pteridium aquilinum
Additional Images
Common Name: = Bracken Fern.
Native to Wisconsin. Native to entire US. Typically found in dry woods and conifer forests.
Grown in trial bed: P
Grower: 7/7/1998 Holdridge (Lake Nocomis, WI)
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Once established, it aggressively speads out via underground runners to form new off shoots. New shoots are widely scattered, often several feet away from the parent plant. We removed it from our small trail beds where its random and scattered growth habit was distracting. It was difficult to contain this plant within the bounds of a small bed. After several years of actively weeding this from the bed, the fern routines reappears throughout the year. Burried roots are very long lasting. We now use it along border areas to stabilize slopes. Attractive plant with very bad manners. Typical height 25 inches.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth, random runners.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Thelypteris beddomei
Collection #AIK-226
Additional Images
Common Name: = Korean Maiden Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Korea.
Grown in trial bed: B28, B34
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Attractive feathery fronds. Rapidly growing and expanding plant. Appears to send out short runners and does not form clumps. Conventional wisdom claims that this plant is only hardy to zone 8. But it has overwintered in our zone 5 garden without any set back. It has been a healthy, vigorous, and rapidly expanding fern. Not invasive, but pushy. Typical height 15 inches.
05/25/2008 Plant barely emerged this year, harsh winter? Went from robust expanding fern in 2007 to nearly dead in 2008. Barely Alive.
09/18/2008 Barely Alive.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Thelypteris decursive-pinnata
(Synonym: Phegopteris decursive-pinnata)

Common Name: = Japanese Beech Fern (FF).
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China - Japan.
Grown in trial bed: B24
Grower: 7/1/2008 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Attractive feathery fronds. Rapidly growing and expanding plant. Conventional wisdom claims that this plant is not hardy in zone 5. It has not overwintered in our zone 5 garden, next year will be the test. It appears as a healthy, vigorous, and rapidly expanding fern. Typical height 15 inches.
09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant.
05/27/2009 declining plant.

Thelypteris kunthii

Common Name: = Kunth's Maiden Fern (USDA), Abundant Maiden Fern.
Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Southeast US.
Grown in trial bed: B28
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Finely toothed pinna. It did not re-appear in the garden in 2006. Typical height 15 inches.
05/25/2008 DEAD.
09/18/2008 DEAD.
05/27/2009 DEAD.

Woodsia obtusa
Additional Images
Common Name: = Bluntlobe Cliff Fern (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin (southwest). Native to Central and Eastern US. Typically found on shady sandy cliffs.
Grown in trial bed: B15
Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC).
Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Healthly plant, slow to expand. Fronds held upright. Fronds are unremarkable and small. Best to plant along a garden edge as it will be crowded out by the much larger Dryopteris ferns. Typical height 10 inches.
05/21/2008 8 inches, mostly erect fronds, roundish looking fronds produce a cute, although small, garden fern.
09/18/2008 nice, some new growth.
05/27/2009 healthy plant.

Marchantia polymorpha
Additional Images
Common Name: = Liverwort (USDA).
Native to Wisconsin? Native to tropical, subtropical, and temporate regions worldwide. Typically found in wet forests and peat bogs.
Grown in trial bed: Bog
Grower: 5/1/2007 collected from potted plant.
Desc: Liverwort. Grown in horticulturally obtained, long fibered sphagnum moss, on string (raised ridge) of man-made bog. Sphagnum permanently moist. Full to partial sun, 8 hours or more. Grown alongside carnivorous plants, also growing in bog. Overwinters outdoors in man-made bog. Typical height 0.3 inches.
08/07/2009 healthy plant, spreading, with antheridiophores and gemmae cups.

Comparative Plant Anatomy Of Fern Sori
kp fern inventory.pdf (KP fern bed checklist)
Fern Purchases (KP fern beds)

Common names Source of common name

Note: USDA = US Department of Agriculture
Note: WI = University of Wisconsin Herbarium
Note: PDN = Plant Delights Nursery (Raleigh, NC)
Note: FF = Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA)
We have choosen a common name that is purported by one of the above expert sources. USDA lists all native species and a few exotics that have established populations in the United States. If the USDA name differs from the WI name, we evaluate both names and choose our favorite. Since we were schooled at the University of Wisconsin, we often select the WI common name as superior. PDN lists many newly collected exotic varieties that have no common name (at least, no English common name). Where none exists, PDN invents a common name and we support their colorful naming conventions. Where none exist, FF describes best common name and we support their accurate naming conventions.

Fern Photograph	Genus species 'Cultivar' - OR - Genus Hybrid 'Cultivar' Description and grower
	Adiantum pedatum Common Name: = Northern Maidenhair Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B31 DEAD, B33 Barely Alive. Grower: 5/25/2001 K. Van Bourgandien. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Our plants survive in the garden, but they do not thrive. Plants decline during the heat of summer. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 12 inches, struggling, looks dehydrated. 09/18/2008 Barely Alive. 05/27/2009 Barely Alive.
Future image	Adiantum venustrum Common Name: = . Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Arachniodes standishii Common Name: = Upside Down Fern (PDN). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Korea, Uulong Island. Grown in trial bed: B24. Grower#1: 4/20/2007 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). DEAD. Grower#2: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. First season produced healthy growth. It did not re-appear in the garden in 2008. Typical height 18 inches. 05/25/2008 #1 DEAD. 09/18/2008 #1 DEAD. 05/28/2009 #1 DEAD. Dug out remains and examined. 06/04/2009 #2 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina Common Name: = Common Ladyfern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B28 Grower: 6/22/2005 Northwind Perennial Farm (Lake Geneva, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Healthy growing plant. Typical height 20 inches. 05/25/2008 DEAD. 09/18/2008 DEAD. 05/28/2009 DEAD.
Future image	Athyrium filix-femina subspecies cyclosorum Common Name: = . Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to western US. Grown in trial bed: B32, B34 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina 'Dre's Dagger' Additional Images Common Name: = Lady Fern. Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe? Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 7/1/2006 Menomonee Falls, WI. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. This is likely a sport of 'Victoriae'. Pinna along frond criss cross. Tip of frond crested. Typical height 10 inches. 05/21/2008 6 inches, fronds attractive and feathery in appearance, healthy plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina 'Encourage' Additional Images Common Name: = Lady Fern. Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe? Grown in trial bed: B22, B32 Grower: 8/25/2003 Klehm (IL). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Encourage' is a "crested form" where fronds are forked at the tip. Interesting and attractive addition to the showy garden. Nice clump forming specimen plant. Typical height 10 inches. 05/21/2008 4 inches, fronds thin, horizontally sprawling, healthy plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina 'Frizelliae' Additional Images Common Name: = Lady Fern. Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe? Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 5/30/2004 Hwy 73 Farm Market (Plainfield, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Frizelliea' is a "congested form" where pinna produce button-like leaflets along the rachis. Interesting and attractive addition to the showy garden. Nice clump forming specimen plant. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 6 inches, fronds attractive and somewhat feathery in appearance. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 healthy plant, but very slow to leaf out.
	Athyrium filix-femina 'Victoriae' Common Name: = Victoria Lady Fern. Species native to Wisconsin, form exotic to Wisconsin. Form native to Europe? Grown in trial bed: B25 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Victoriae' is a "cruciate form" where each pinna produce dual forks. Forks are held at 45 degree angles from the rachis. Each pinna half crosses the following pinna. The frond is essentially a series of crisscrossed leaflets. Interesting and attractive addition to the showy garden. Nice clump forming specimen plant. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 6 inches, fronds attractive and feathery in appearance, healthy plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina ssp. angustum (Synonym: Athyrium angustum) (Synonym: Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum) Additional Image Common Name: = Subarctic Lady Fern (USDA), Northern Lady Fern. Species native to Wisconsin, subspecies exotic to Wisconsin. Subspecies native to Europe and Asia. Grown in trial bed: B22 Grower: . Desc: Grown in part sun, richly composted raised bed. Vigorous growing plant that does not spread. Typical height 20 inches. 05/25/2008 17 inches, robust plant. 09/18/2008 nice, some burnt leaves. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina ssp. angustum 'Lady In Red' (Synonym: Athyrium angustum 'Lady In Red') (Synonym: Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum 'Lady In Red') (Synonym: Athyrium angustum forma rubellum 'Lady In Red') Common Name: = Lady Fern. Species native to Wisconsin, subspecies exotic to Wisconsin. Subspecies native to Europe and Asia. Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 7/1/2005 3D Greenhouses (Mukwonago, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Cloned (tissue cultured) from plant discovered by New England Wildflower Society. Burgundy red colored stems. Our plant displays strikingly more burgundy red color then the ordinary Athyrium filix-femina. Typical height 15 inches. 05/25/2008 10 inches, feather fronds, robust plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina x niponicum 'Branford Beauty' Common Name: = Branford Beauty Fern. Ancestory = 50% Athyrium filix-femina 50% Athyrium niponicum Exotic to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B28 Grower: 7/1/2005 3D Greenhouses (Mukwonago, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Attractive colored fronds, but not as striking as 'Ghost'. Hardy grower that does not spread. Typical height 20 inches. Nick Nicou (Branford, CT) hybrid of Athyrium filix-femina x Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'. 05/25/2008 10 inches, erect fronds, slow to emerge. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium filix-femina x niponicum 'Ghost' Additional Images Common Name: = Ghost fern. Ancestory = 50% Athyrium filix-femina 50% Athyrium niponicum Exotic to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B28, B32 Grower#B32: 5/30/2004 Hwy 73 Farm Market (Plainfield, WI). Grower#B28: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Attractive and unique light colored fronds. Hardy grower, but does not spread. This is an excellent addition to the showy garden. Typical height 25 inches. Nancy Swell (Virginia) hybrid of Athyrium filix-femina x Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'. 05/21/2008 #B28 14 inches, strong erect growth, reddish tint to stem and fronds, heathy plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace' Additional Images Common Name: = Japanese Painted Fern. Native to Japan. Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 7/10/2004 Terra Nova (Tigard, OR). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. The 'Burgundy Lace' cultivar is greatly over-rated. We found the burgundy color to be nearly indistinguisable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern. Without our field notes, we would have a difficult time finding this cultivar among a mixed bed of Japanese Painted Ferns. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 4 inches tall, fronds mostly extend horizontally - not upright, attractive reddish and silver tint fronds, but indistinguishable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium niponicum 'Pewter Lace' Common Name: = Japanese Painted Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Japan. Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 7/10/2004 Terra Nova (Tigard, OR). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. The 'Pewter Lace' cultivar is greatly over-rated. We found the pewter color to be nearly indistinguisable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern. Without our field notes, we would have a difficult time finding this cultivar among a mixed bed of Japanese Painted Ferns. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 4 inches tall, fronds mostly extend horizontally - not upright, attractive reddish and silver tint fronds, but indistinguishable from ordinary Japanese Painted Fern. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' Additional Images Common Name: = Japanese Painted Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Japan. Grown in trial bed: B28, B32, B33 Grower: 5/1/1997 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 4 inches tall, fronds mostly extend horizontally - not upright, attractive reddish and silver tint fronds. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Athyrium otophorum Common Name: = Asian Lady Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China and Japan. Grown in trial bed: B32, F Grower#1: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). DEAD. Grower#2: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Leaves lay out mostly horizontal. Not a vigorous grower in our zone. Late to leaf out (July). One plant did not re-appear in the garden in 2008 (dead). New replacement specimen planted 2008. Attractive small specimen plant. Typical height 10 inches. 09/18/2008 #2 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 #2 healthy plant.
	Blechnum penna-marina subspecies alpine Additional Images Common Name: = . Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia. Grown in trial bed: L31, F Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 2 inches. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 Barely Alive.
Future image	Blechnum spicant Common Name: = Deer Fern (USDA). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Western US. Grown in trial bed: B25 Grower: 7/6/2006 Prospect Hill Nursery (Milwaukee, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. It did not re-appear in the garden in 2007. Typical height 10 inches. 05/25/2008 DEAD. 09/18/2008 DEAD. 05/28/2009 DEAD.
	Cyrtomium fortunei Collection #AIK-140 Additional Images Common Name: = Asian Netvein Hollyfern (USDA). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China, Japan, Korea. Grown in trial bed: B25 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Fronds lay out mostly horizontal. Very interesting and attractive holly like leaves. Excellent exotic addition to the garden. Healthy growing plant. Typical height 15 inches. 05/25/2008 Barely Alive. 09/18/2008 Barely Alive. 05/28/2009 DEAD.
	Dennstaedtia punctiloba (additional image) Common Name: = Eastern Hayscented Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B14 Grower: 8/31/2005 Johnson Nursery (Menomonee Fall, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Feathery fronds that often appear to be drooping from dehydration, even when properly watered. This drooping habit makes the plant less desirable in a showy garden. Typical height 10 inches. 05/25/2008 10 inches, drooping fronds, looks dehydrated, not attractive. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Diplazium pycnocarpon synonym Athyrium pycnocarpon Additional Images Common Name: = Glade Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B32 Grower: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Erect and sturdy fronds. Typical height 12 inches. 05/21/2008 11 inches, strong erect growth, seems to be expanding. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Barnes' Additional Images Common Name: = Crisped Golden-scaled Male (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: L31 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Label note lists cambrensis. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata' Additional Images Common Name: = Golden Scaled Male Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: B34 Grower: 8/31/2005 Kathy's Greenhouse (Menomonee Fall, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. 'Cristata' is a forked form where fronds are split off at the tip. The form is not as dramatic as Lady Fern types, but still interesting and distinctive. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 06/04/2009 declining plant, moved from B26 to B34 (more sun).
Future image	Dryopteris affinis 'Revolvens' Common Name: = . Grown in trial bed: L31, B34 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris x australis (Synonym: Dryopteris Australis) Additional Images Common Name: = Dixie Wood Fern (USDA). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Southeast US. Grown in trial bed: B26 Grower#1: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Grower#2: 7/20/2006 Lowes (Delavan, WI). DEAD. Note: This fern was re-titled as "x australis" as recommended by Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds per private email correspondence. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 25 inches. Naturally occurring hybrid of Dryopteris celsa x Dryopteris ludoviciana. 05/21/2008 #1 15 inches, erect fronds, but few in number, fern is declining in size, not happy. 09/18/2008 #1 nice, some new growth. 06/04/2009 #1 declining plant, moved from B26 to B34 (more sun).
Future image	Dryopteris bissetiana Common Name: = Beaded Wood Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Southeast US. Grown in trial bed: B41 Grower: 8/26/2003 3D Greenhouses (Mukwonago, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 10 inches. 05/21/2008 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Barely Alive. 09/18/2008 recovered nicely, some new growth. 05/28/2009 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Moved from B26 (deep shade) to B41 (part sun).
	Dryopteris blanfordii Additional Images Common Name: = unknown. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to unknown. Grown in trial bed: L31 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Fern is not listed in my fern reference books or on Fancy Fronds website. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 DEAD.
Future image	Dryopteris campyloptera Common Name: = Mountain woodfern (USDA). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to eastern US. Grown in trial bed: B34 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. Note from Fancy Fronds, "or hybrid of carthusiana". 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris carthusiana (synonym Dryopteris austriaca) (synonym Dryopteris spinulosa) Additional Images Common Name: = Spinulose Woodfern (USDA), Toothed Wood Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to US. Grown in trial bed: B15, B34, Front Grower#B15: unknown. Grower#B34: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 20 inches. 05/21/2008 #B15 7 inches, feathery fronds angled - not erect, healthy plant. 09/18/2008 #B15 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 #B15 declining plant. 06/04/2009 #B34 healthy plant.
Future image	Dryopteris celsa Common Name: = Log Fern (USDA). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to eastern USA. Grown in trial bed: B15 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 25 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 Barely Alive.
Future image	Dryopteris clintonia Common Name: = Clintons woodfern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Native to eastern US. Grown in trial bed: L31, B41 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust' Additional Images Common Name: = Narrow Hybrid Golden-scaled Male (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris x complexa 'Stableri' Additional Images Common Name: = Narrow Hybrid Golden-scaled Male (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris x complexa 'Stableri Crisped' Additional Images Common Name: = Crisped Narrow Hybrid Golden-scaled Male (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. Man-made hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris filix-mas. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
Future image	Dryopteris crassirhizoma Common Name: = China Woodfern (KP). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China, Japan. Grown in trial bed: L31, B41 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
Future image	Dryopteris dilatata 'Cristata' Common Name: = Spreading Woodfern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Native to northern US. Grown in trial bed: L31, B34, B24, Front Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris erythrosora Additional Images Common Name: = Japanese Red Shield Fern. Autumn Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Japan and China. Grown in trial bed: B22, L31 Grower#B22: 5/1/2004 Northwind Perennial Farm (Lake Geneva, WI). DEAD. Grower#B22: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). DEAD. Grower#L31: 7/1/2008 Luxemburg Gardens (Franklin, WI).DEAD. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Spring growth begins late, first leaves are not completely opened until June 10th. Fronds are initially reddish bronze colored, then fade to dark green. 05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. Known to be a late grower. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/28/2009 #L31 DEAD.
	Dryopteris filix-mas Additional Images Common Name: = Male Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B15 Grower: 8/4/2005 Home Depot (Milwaukee, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Clump forming. Healthy growing fern that is substantially smaller than Dryopteris marginalis. It's a nice garden fern, but nothing special. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 14 inches, erect fronds, attractive and healthy plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
Future image	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Barnesii' Common Name: = Narrow Male Fern (FF). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: B33 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata Jackson' Additional Images Common Name: = Crested Male Fern (FF). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata Martindale' Additional Images Common Name: = Fish-tail Crested Male Fern (FF). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 declined plant.
Future image	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Grandiceps' Common Name: = Grandicapital Male Fern (FF). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: L31, B52 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Grandiceps Wills' Additional Images Common Name: = Grandicapital Male Fern (FF). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches. 09/18/2008 ok, little growth. 05/27/2009 Barely Alive.
	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla' Additional Images Common Name: = Slender Crested Male Fern (FF). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 7/1/2006 ?? (Milwaukee, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 13 inches, fronds erect, healthy plant, clump is slightly expanding. Note: This fern was re-identified as form 'Linearis Polydactyla' by Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds per private email correspondence. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris filix-mas 'Parsley' Additional Images Common Name: = Male Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin, but non-native form. Grown in trial bed: B52 Grower: 7/1/2006 ?? (Milwaukee, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 12 inches. 05/21/2008 10 inches, fronds erect, robust plant, clump has double in size over last year. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris goldiana Additional Images Common Name: = Goldie's Woodfern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B15, B33, F. Grower#1: 5/1/1999 Shady Oaks Nursery (MN). Grower#2: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Does not transplant well. Alive, but not vigorous. Very few fronds are produced. Clump forming, but clump does not expand. Typical height 30 inches. 05/21/2008 28 inches (tallest fern in our trial gardens), erect fronds, but few in number, attractive but very slow to expand size of clump. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris kuratae Additional Images Common Name: = unknown. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia. Grown in trial bed: B34 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 06/04/2009 barely alive, moved from L31 to B34 (more sun).
	Dryopteris marginalis Additional Images Common Name: = Marginal Woodfern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Typically found on shaded cliffs. Grown in trial bed: B15, B32, B34 Grower: 5/25/2001 Wild Ones (WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Slightly bluish green cast to fronds. Nice strongly upright shape, vase like. Hardy clump grower, but does not spread. Healthy, vigorous, and attractive garden fern. This is a most overlooked species that has great appeal for the gardener. Typical height 25 inches. 05/21/2008 21 inches, erect fronds in distinctive vase like form, robust plant. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 06/04/2009 healthy plant, moved from B32 to B34 (more sun).
	Dryopteris x remota (Synonym: Dryopteris Remota) Additional Images Common Name: = Glade Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Naturally occuring hybrid of Dryopteris affinis x Dryopteris expansa, native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: B26 Grower: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). Note: This fern was re-titled as "x remota" as recommended by Judith Jones of Fancy Fronds per private email correspondence. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 10 inches. 05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. Known to be a late grower. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/28/2009 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Moved from B26 (deep shade) to B41 (part sun).
	Dryopteris oreades Additional Images Common Name: = . Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: L31 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Smaller than D. filix-mas with more narrow blades. Typical height 15 inches. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris sacrosancta Additional Images Common Name: = . Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia. Grown in trial bed: L31 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris stewartii Additional Images Common Name: = Stewart's Wood Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia. Grown in trial bed: L31 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates considerable period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
Future image	Dryopteris sub-atrata Common Name: = Shaggy Woodfern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: B34, B24 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Dryopteris tokyoensis Additional Images Common Name: = Tokyo Wood Fern. Native to Japan, Korea. Grown in trial bed: B41 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 15 inches. 05/21/2008 No visible growth, we assume that it is still alive. Known to be a late grower. 09/18/2008 ok, little growth. 05/28/2009 5 inches, sparse and weakly growing plant, not happy. Moved from B26 (deep shade) to B41 (part sun).
Future image	Dryopteris x separabilis Common Name: = Separate Woodfern (FF). Hybrid of Dryopteris celsa x Dryopteris intermedia. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to eastern US. Grown in trial bed: B34, B24 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Matteuccia struthiopteris Additional Images Common Name: = Ostrich Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B21, P, F Grower: 7/7/1998 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Most agressive fern (almost weedy aggressive). Once established, the fern spreads out via underground runners to produce new off shoots. One plants fills in 5 ft x 5 ft section in 5 years. In wet areas, it expands more rapidly. We removed it from our small trail beds where its aggressive nature smothered out neighboring plants. We use it along border areas to stabilize slopes. Attractive plant, but it does not play well with others. Typical height 25 inches. 05/25/2008 on moist hillside fern is thickly growing, quickly expanding, 25 inches tall or larger. On dry hillside, 14 inches tall, colony not greatly expanding. 09/18/2008 nice, typical late summer burning and yellowing. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Onoclea sensibilis Additional Images Common Name: = Sensitive Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B27, B31, B32, B33 Grower: 5/25/2000 K. Van Bourgandien. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Autumn fronds turn yellow color. 05/21/2008 9 inches, erect fronds, new straight runners form just below soil surface and extend 1 or 2 feet from parent plant, produces new shoots every 4 inches along runner, healthy plant. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Osmunda cinnamomea Common Name: = Cinnamon Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B27, B24 Grower: 6/27/2005 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 24 inches. 05/21/2008 15 inches, erect sterile fronds, no fertile fronds observed, fronds few in number, not robust. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Osmunda claytoniana Additional Images Common Name: = Interrupted Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B27 Grower: 7/7/1998 Holdridge (Lake Nocomis, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Typical height 24 inches. Autumn fronds turn golden brown color. 05/21/2008 18 inches, erect fronds with mid-frond fertile spore body forming, healthy plant. 09/18/2008 ok, little growth, significant dieback. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Osmunda regalis Additional Images Common Name: = Royal Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B22, B27 Grower: 5/1/1999 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 15 inches. Autumn fronds turn golden brown color. 05/21/2008 20 inches, erect fronds with top-frond fertile spore body forming, robust plant. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Polystichum acrostichoides Additional Images Common Name: = Christmas Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B21, B22, B25 Grower: 5/8/1998 Shady Acres (New Berlin, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Feathery fronds. This is one of the must have ferns for the collector. It performs well in either shade or sun. Typical height 15 inches. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
Future image	Polystichum aculeatum Common Name: = Hard Shield Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: B34 Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: New. 6/4/2009 healthy plant.
	Polystichum braunii Additional Images Common Name: = Braun's Holly Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin. Grown in trial bed: B34, B25 Grower: 7/12/2006 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). DEAD Grower: 6/4/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Very attractive fronds. This is one of our best new finds. Healty plant, but slow to expand. Typical height 10 inches. 05/25/2008 #B25 Barely alive. 09/18/2008 #B25 Barely Alive. 05/27/2009 #B25 DEAD. 6/4/2009 #B34 healthy plant.
Future image	Polystichum neolobatum (alpine form) Common Name: = Spiny Holly Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Asia. Grown in trial bed: B24 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 10 inches. Alpine form. 09/18/2008 unknown. 05/27/2009 DEAD.
	Polystichum makinoi Common Name: = Makino Shield Fern (PDN). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China to India. Grown in trial bed: B24. Grower: 4/20/2007 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). DEAD. Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 24 inches. 05/25/2008 Barely Alive. 09/18/2008 DEAD. 05/27/2009 DEAD.
Future image	Polystichum x dycei Common Name: = Dyce's Hybrid Holly Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Europe. Grown in trial bed: B24 Grower: 5/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 10 inches. 09/18/2008 ok, little growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Polystichum polyblepharum Common Name: = Korean Tasselfern (USDA). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native Japan to Korea. Grown in trial bed: B25 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Fern has declined in 2006 and 2007. It is barely alive. Typical height 6 inches. 05/25/2008 Barely Alive. 09/18/2008 Barely Alive. 05/27/2009 Barely Alive.
Future image	Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosomultilobum' Common Name: = Plumose Soft Shield Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. . Grown in trial bed: B34, B41 Grower#B41: 05/25/2008 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Grower#B34: 06/04/2009 Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Typical height 10 inches. 09/18/2008 #B41 ok, little growth. 06/04/2009 #B41 barely alive, moved from B25 to B41 (more sun). 06/04/2009 #B34 healthy plant.
	Polystichum xiphophyllum Additional Images Common Name: = The X Fern (PDN). Sword-leaved Holly Fern (FF) Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China. Grown in trial bed: B25 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Fern has declined in 2006 and 2007. It is barely alive. Typical height 6 inches. 05/25/2008 DEAD. 09/18/2008 DEAD. 05/27/2009 DEAD.
	Pteridium aquilinum Additional Images Common Name: = Bracken Fern. Native to Wisconsin. Native to entire US. Typically found in dry woods and conifer forests. Grown in trial bed: P Grower: 7/7/1998 Holdridge (Lake Nocomis, WI) Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Tolerates some period of direct sun. Once established, it aggressively speads out via underground runners to form new off shoots. New shoots are widely scattered, often several feet away from the parent plant. We removed it from our small trail beds where its random and scattered growth habit was distracting. It was difficult to contain this plant within the bounds of a small bed. After several years of actively weeding this from the bed, the fern routines reappears throughout the year. Burried roots are very long lasting. We now use it along border areas to stabilize slopes. Attractive plant with very bad manners. Typical height 25 inches. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth, random runners. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Thelypteris beddomei Collection #AIK-226 Additional Images Common Name: = Korean Maiden Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Korea. Grown in trial bed: B28, B34 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Attractive feathery fronds. Rapidly growing and expanding plant. Appears to send out short runners and does not form clumps. Conventional wisdom claims that this plant is only hardy to zone 8. But it has overwintered in our zone 5 garden without any set back. It has been a healthy, vigorous, and rapidly expanding fern. Not invasive, but pushy. Typical height 15 inches. 05/25/2008 Plant barely emerged this year, harsh winter? Went from robust expanding fern in 2007 to nearly dead in 2008. Barely Alive. 09/18/2008 Barely Alive. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Thelypteris decursive-pinnata (Synonym: Phegopteris decursive-pinnata) Common Name: = Japanese Beech Fern (FF). Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to China - Japan. Grown in trial bed: B24 Grower: 7/1/2008 The Flower Factory (Stoughton, WI). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Attractive feathery fronds. Rapidly growing and expanding plant. Conventional wisdom claims that this plant is not hardy in zone 5. It has not overwintered in our zone 5 garden, next year will be the test. It appears as a healthy, vigorous, and rapidly expanding fern. Typical height 15 inches. 09/18/2008 expanding, new growth, great looking plant. 05/27/2009 declining plant.
	Thelypteris kunthii Common Name: = Kunth's Maiden Fern (USDA), Abundant Maiden Fern. Exotic to Wisconsin. Native to Southeast US. Grown in trial bed: B28 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Finely toothed pinna. It did not re-appear in the garden in 2006. Typical height 15 inches. 05/25/2008 DEAD. 09/18/2008 DEAD. 05/27/2009 DEAD.
	Woodsia obtusa Additional Images Common Name: = Bluntlobe Cliff Fern (USDA). Native to Wisconsin (southwest). Native to Central and Eastern US. Typically found on shady sandy cliffs. Grown in trial bed: B15 Grower: 6/22/2005 Plant Delights (Raleigh, NC). Desc: Grown in bright shade, richly composted raised bed. Healthly plant, slow to expand. Fronds held upright. Fronds are unremarkable and small. Best to plant along a garden edge as it will be crowded out by the much larger Dryopteris ferns. Typical height 10 inches. 05/21/2008 8 inches, mostly erect fronds, roundish looking fronds produce a cute, although small, garden fern. 09/18/2008 nice, some new growth. 05/27/2009 healthy plant.
	Marchantia polymorpha Additional Images Common Name: = Liverwort (USDA). Native to Wisconsin? Native to tropical, subtropical, and temporate regions worldwide. Typically found in wet forests and peat bogs. Grown in trial bed: Bog Grower: 5/1/2007 collected from potted plant. Desc: Liverwort. Grown in horticulturally obtained, long fibered sphagnum moss, on string (raised ridge) of man-made bog. Sphagnum permanently moist. Full to partial sun, 8 hours or more. Grown alongside carnivorous plants, also growing in bog. Overwinters outdoors in man-made bog. Typical height 0.3 inches. 08/07/2009 healthy plant, spreading, with antheridiophores and gemmae cups.
	Comparative Plant Anatomy Of Fern Sori kp fern inventory.pdf (KP fern bed checklist) Fern Purchases (KP fern beds)
Common names	Source of common name Note: USDA = US Department of Agriculture Note: WI = University of Wisconsin Herbarium Note: PDN = Plant Delights Nursery (Raleigh, NC) Note: FF = Fancy Fronds (Gold Bar, WA) We have choosen a common name that is purported by one of the above expert sources. USDA lists all native species and a few exotics that have established populations in the United States. If the USDA name differs from the WI name, we evaluate both names and choose our favorite. Since we were schooled at the University of Wisconsin, we often select the WI common name as superior. PDN lists many newly collected exotic varieties that have no common name (at least, no English common name). Where none exists, PDN invents a common name and we support their colorful naming conventions. Where none exist, FF describes best common name and we support their accurate naming conventions.

Ferns Grown In Wisconsin Gardens - 158 Plants Checklist
G3 Common - These are native Wisconsin ferns that grow well in gardens. We have observed and documented these plants growing at Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners, WI), Janesville Rotary Gardens (Janesville, WI), and Krischan Photography Gardens (Big Bend, WI). These are strong, healthy, and easy to grow native ferns. These are the ferns that the first time gardener should trial in their garden. The G3 Checklist indicates the garden where the plant has been successfully grown. 17 Plants. G3 Checklist.

G2 Unusual - These are native Wisconsin ferns that have been planted in at least one trial garden. We have observed and documented these plants, and have determined that these are challenging to grow. Some have barely survived, they are weak and fragile specimens. We indicate weak plants with the 'x' symbol and this plant must be re-examined in a future year. Other plants grow well. We indicate strong plants with the 'B', 'J', and/or 'K' symbol for the garden where the plant was trialed. These are the ferns that the expert fern gardener should trial in their garden. 20 Plants. G2 Checklist.

G1 Not Grown - These are native Wisconsin ferns that have never been planted in a trial garden. We have never observed these plants in cultivation. Some of these plants are rarely found even in the wild. We indicate if Wisconsin has designated a status for these plants as 'Special Concern', 'Threatened', or 'Endangered'. We indicate never garden grown plants with the '-' symbol. Some of these plants are not rare in the wild, but there has not been an effort made to produce cultivated plants by the nursery industry. These are the ferns that the fern gardener will not find in the trade. 30 Plants. G1 Checklist.

E3 Common - These are exotic to Wisconsin ferns that grow well in gardens. We have observed and documented these plants growing at Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners, WI), Janesville Rotary Gardens (Janesville, WI), and Krischan Photography Gardens (Big Bend, WI). These are strong, healthy, and easy to grow exotic ferns. These are the ferns that the first time gardener should trial in their garden. The E3 Checklist indicates the garden where the plant has been successfully grown. 14 Plants. E3 Checklist.

E2 Unusual - These are exotic to Wisconsin ferns that have been planted in at least one trial garden. We have observed and documented these plants, and have determined that these are challenging to grow. Some have barely survived, they are weak and fragile specimens. We indicate weak plants with the 'x' symbol and this plant must be re-examined in a future year. We indicate never observed plants with the '?' symbol and these plants are assumed to be dead. Other plants grow well. We indicate strong plants with the 'B', 'J', and/or 'K' symbol for the garden where the plant was trialed. These are the exotic ferns that the expert fern gardener should trial in their garden. 77 Plants. E2 Checklist.

Rotary Gardens Rotary Gardens.

Ferns Grown In Wisconsin Gardens - 158 Plants	Checklist
G3 Common - These are native Wisconsin ferns that grow well in gardens. We have observed and documented these plants growing at Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners, WI), Janesville Rotary Gardens (Janesville, WI), and Krischan Photography Gardens (Big Bend, WI). These are strong, healthy, and easy to grow native ferns. These are the ferns that the first time gardener should trial in their garden. The G3 Checklist indicates the garden where the plant has been successfully grown. 17 Plants.	G3 Checklist.
G2 Unusual - These are native Wisconsin ferns that have been planted in at least one trial garden. We have observed and documented these plants, and have determined that these are challenging to grow. Some have barely survived, they are weak and fragile specimens. We indicate weak plants with the 'x' symbol and this plant must be re-examined in a future year. Other plants grow well. We indicate strong plants with the 'B', 'J', and/or 'K' symbol for the garden where the plant was trialed. These are the ferns that the expert fern gardener should trial in their garden. 20 Plants.	G2 Checklist.
G1 Not Grown - These are native Wisconsin ferns that have never been planted in a trial garden. We have never observed these plants in cultivation. Some of these plants are rarely found even in the wild. We indicate if Wisconsin has designated a status for these plants as 'Special Concern', 'Threatened', or 'Endangered'. We indicate never garden grown plants with the '-' symbol. Some of these plants are not rare in the wild, but there has not been an effort made to produce cultivated plants by the nursery industry. These are the ferns that the fern gardener will not find in the trade. 30 Plants.	G1 Checklist.
E3 Common - These are exotic to Wisconsin ferns that grow well in gardens. We have observed and documented these plants growing at Boerner Botanical Gardens (Hales Corners, WI), Janesville Rotary Gardens (Janesville, WI), and Krischan Photography Gardens (Big Bend, WI). These are strong, healthy, and easy to grow exotic ferns. These are the ferns that the first time gardener should trial in their garden. The E3 Checklist indicates the garden where the plant has been successfully grown. 14 Plants.	E3 Checklist.
E2 Unusual - These are exotic to Wisconsin ferns that have been planted in at least one trial garden. We have observed and documented these plants, and have determined that these are challenging to grow. Some have barely survived, they are weak and fragile specimens. We indicate weak plants with the 'x' symbol and this plant must be re-examined in a future year. We indicate never observed plants with the '?' symbol and these plants are assumed to be dead. Other plants grow well. We indicate strong plants with the 'B', 'J', and/or 'K' symbol for the garden where the plant was trialed. These are the exotic ferns that the expert fern gardener should trial in their garden. 77 Plants.	E2 Checklist.
Rotary Gardens	Rotary Gardens.

Ferns

Home back to the home page.