Garden Ferns – Timeless Texture for Shady Spaces
If you are looking to bring structure, softness, and a touch of woodland magic to your garden, ferns are one of the easiest and most rewarding plants you can grow. Perfect for shady borders, patios, and pots.
Why Choose Ferns?
Loved for their elegant, feathery fronds and their ability to thrive where many other plants struggle. If you’ve got a shaded garden in South London, they are a natural fit.
They’re also:
- Low maintenance once established
- Perfect for adding texture and movement
- Ideal for pots, borders, and underplanting
- Great companions for Hostas, Hydrangeas, and shade-loving shrubs
The Best Garden Ferns Available this Season
Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern)
A real show stopper with silvery-grey fronds and burgundy stems. Adding a subtle pop of colour to a shaded spot.
Blechnum spicant (Hard Fern)
Evergreen and Architectural with upright, fertile fronds that give structure all year long.
Crytomium fortunei (Holly Fern)
Evergreen with holly-shaped leaves. A tougher, brighter green leaf that brings interest and texture.
Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern)
A striking fern with triangular fronds, which are coppery-red when young before maturing to dark green.
Polypodium vulgare (Common Polypody)
Evergreen and versatile. This fern thrives in both dry and damp soils.
Where to Plant
Ferns thrive in:
- Partial to Full Shade
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Sheltered spots away from strong winds
Perfect For:
- Underplanting trees and shrubs
- North-facing borders
- Softening the edge of a pond
- Shady patios and courtyard gardens
Planting and Caring for Ferns in South London
To get the best from your Ferns:
- Enrich the soil with Sylvagrow composted fine bark before planting
- Water regularly during warm weather, especially in the first year
- Mulch with bark to retain moisture
- Remove old fronds in the early spring to encourage new fronds
Create a Lush, Layered Look
For maximum impact, plant ferns in groups and mix different varieties.
Combine them with:
- Hostas for bold foliage contrast
- Brunnera for delicate flowers
- Heuchera for foliage colour variation
Our most recent collection is available in the Secret Garden Centre now and ready to be planted. Whether you want to underplant some shrubs or you are planting a woodland garden, we can help you choose the best ferns for your vision.
Pop in and explore the range-these are some of the most versatile plants you can add to your garden this season.
