If you seek life-size versions of feathery green foliage, the Royal Fern will suit you perfectly. It is the largest and most spectacular North American fern. Massive in size, its sterile fronds can reach from 2-5 feet in height and stretch up to 1 1/2 feet broad.
The sterile fronds are bipinnate with 7-9 pairs of pinnae up to 12 inches long. Each pinnae has 7-13 pairs of 1-2 1/2 inch long and 1/2-3/4 inch broad pinnules.
Uniquely, this fern offers both a sterile and fertile frond. Unlike most ferns, the fertile fronds are produced in early autumn and are erect and shorter (8-20 inches tall) than their counterparts with around 2-3 pairs of sterile pinnae at their base, and 7-14 pairs of densely clustered sporangia above.
This species is an ideal accent plant for landscaping due to its longevity, large size, and distinctly different (sterile and fertile) components offering constant and ever-changing visual and textural elements. When mature, the Royal Fern features lovely rust-colored flower spikes and hairless leaves, though when the fronds are young, they are quite hairy as they emerge.
Broad, oblong-shaped leaflets divide its bright-green fronds. This semi-evergreen, herbaceous plant not only requires, but loves moist soil, and when planted near water (including rivers and stream-banks where running water continually covers their rhizomes), they have the ability to grow into incredibly large colonies.
While native to woodland and forest, they generally prefer fairly high light intensity. They are winter dormant in northern zones, have a slow to moderate growth rate, and are composed of symmetric clumps. Given their size, Royal Ferns have a massive, creepingrhizome with a rootstock that can protrude several centimeters above the ground, somewhat similar to a short trunk covered with leaf sheaths and roots.
Royal Ferns offer a constantly changing perennial with fanning, fresh foliage in man-size portions and rich rusty flower spikes. It's no wonder this fern is called Royal; in truth, it is quite majestic to behold.
Gardener Tips A perfect application for this fern is a woodland area near a stream where you'd like lush green color to contrast the grey bark of neighboring trees. Over time you'll create a forest of ferns standing guard over your stream.
If you are considering purchasing this plant in bare root form, please read about bare root plants so you know what to expect.
General information about Ferns:
When gardeners and landscape designers are looking for a dramatic, vibrant spray of color and foliage, they will often consider ferns for their project.
In addition to sweeping texture and lush greenery, ferns work wonderfully as independent or companion perennials.
Perfect in mass plantings where they create the feeling of a field of grass swaying gently in soft breezes, ferns are also delightful as
borders
where they stand like shapely chartreuse soldiers at the edges of garden beds.
Then again, when used as accents, in single plantings, or clusters amidst a rock garden, you have a moving work of willowy art.
But what to choose?
You’ll be pleased to know that after more than 40 years of experimenting with various ferns, we have compiled a selection of the easiest to grow and hardiest ferns.Essentially, we’ve narrowed the list down for you, so you can select from our varieties with confidence.
A bonus with our ferns is that all, except
Japanese Painted Fern
and
Japanese Shield Fern
are
native to the United States.
Selections like
Christmas Fern
are wonderful
erosion control
options.
With some ferns being
evergreen
and some semi-evergreen, you are sure to find the option that works wonderfully for your garden.
Be sure to check each plant's Description tab for details.
Special note when planting bare root ferns in hot weather: If you plant bare root ferns during hot weather it is common for the foliage to die off. Do not fret, as long as you keep them moist they will grow back foliage. Depending on the severity of the heat it might not be until after summer ends.
I am reserving judgment on these until I see them next spring, but they were considerably smaller than I expected. However, they were very healthy plants, nice and green, not dried out.
=============
11/03/2015 Classy Groundcovers comment:
Were they smaller... Read full review >
The ones that are still alive, after planting and re-planting, in no way look like the picture. They are broadleaf and attractive, but are not "ferns", as my mental image sees ferns. I would recommend that anyone buying plants, at least, buy a small plant... Read full review >
The plants arrived in great shape 9 days ago. Some have already started to open with the tallest nearly a foot high despite our unusually warm, dry weather.
Performs best in well-drained (but moist) soil with added organic compost or peat moss. Best not to allow soil to dry out. Will tolerate sun if given enough moisture.Ferns have delicate foliage that often suffers during shipment and transplanting. Cut off any foliage that is broken, bent, brown or yellow - the plants will quickly recuperate with fresh growth. Bare root ferns are particularly prone to foliage loss, it is not uncommon to have to cut them off at ground level when transplanting. As long as the roots are firm they will recover, often showing new growth within weeks during warm months. If transplanting bare root ferns during warm weather they might not send up foliage until summer ends or the following spring (best to transplant bare root ferns when they are dormant: late fall to early spring).
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This link shows you photographs comparing potted and bare root plants for some of our most popular plants. It will improve your understanding of what to expect from the various sizes.
Leaflets are themselves divided into smaller leaflets.
Leaflets arranged in opposite pairs along the midrib.
The secondary division leaflet of the bipinnate leaf.
The enclosure in which spores - the fern's reproductive mechanism - are formed.
Having leaves and stems that die down to ground level at end of growing season.
See all plants that tolerate bogs, marshes, stream and pond edges, and other wet locations.
Rhizomes are root-like stems that may either grow horizontally at the soil surface or in other orientations underground.
See all plants that are native to the U. S.
Loses its foliage after frost.
See all plants that grow relatively slowly.
See all plants that grow moderately fast.
Forms a mound while growing out from the center, maintaining a compact shape.
See all plants that creep and spread to cover areas.
Rhizomes are root-like stems that may either grow horizontally at the soil surface or in other orientations underground.
Bare roots are plants that are shipped without soil or pots, they are smaller than potted versions - click for details.
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See our Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum').
See our Japanese Shield Fern (Japanese Wood Fern, Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora).
See all plants that are native to the U.S.
See all plants that thrive in part sun, part shade.
See all plants that thrive in full shade.
See all plants that thrive in full sun.
See our Southern Shield Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana).
See all plants that tolerate drought (once established).
See all plants that deer tend to avoid (deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough).
See our Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).
See all plants that are good for controlling erosion.
See all plants with foliage that stays green all year (depending on where you are in the country).
Know your zone and choose plants that will thrive there.
Look up their phone number here, then call them with questions about your local area (such as: Will ___ grow where I am?). They can advise you more precisely than we can.
A zone at one end of this range
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Conifers are gymnosperms, woody cone-bearing trees and shrubs. Examples of the 600+ conifers include cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews.
See all plants that creep and spread to cover areas.
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Part sun 
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