Ostrich fern likes cooler areas and doesn't do as well here as some of the more southern ferns. I'd suggest you look at Thelypteris kunthii (often featured in Southern Living) and Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea). T. kunthii, sometimes called Southern Wood fern or Southern Maiden fern, can actually handle a bit more sun than others and spreads nicely. Cinnamon fern can handle wet areas (but does fine in a garden); in a wet area it happily exceeds 3 feet tall.

Although I love those native ferns, I have to admit that autumn fern holds up better for me all year long. (Dryopteris erythrosora; not native and the only non-native fern I really like.)It is wintergreen, grows 18-24", and needs shade mostly. Last year I bought some at the MG plant sale and watered only when I planted them; yes, even through our terrible drought. They did not grow much, but only one out of 12 died, and that one was the victim of critter digging. D. marginalis is also wintergreen and, once established, can go a while without water. Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, doesn't seem to need much water once established butnot as "ferny" as the others. Oh, none of these "run" as Ostrich. Esh, Southern Wood comes up so late for me that I always think it is dead..and then in June it appears. I guess you are further south, so it performs better for you. Royal fern performs better for me than Cinnamon, but both are fine near water. All of my favorite spreaders are not evergreen and are low-growing. Oh, the MG are selling ferns again right now. If you are near Greensboro, call 336-375-5876. They have more on their list than I can tell you about.

I feel silly for asking, but - what is the MG that you are referring to?

Master Gardners, maybe?

Great question and answers, thanks. I have stayed away from ferns because I thought they needed moist soil, which I sure don't have very often.

Yes, Joy is correct: MG=Master Gardeners. They have both native and non-native on their list. Speaking of ferns, has anyone had good luck with the NATIVE climbing fern? I have one that has limped along for about three years, but it doesn't seem to grow any. I am not interested in the non-native climbing fern as it is on the invasive list, and I am trying hard not to plant any of those potentially invasive things. I am too old to dig out all of the invasives I already have, but I don't want to add any more to my "guilty" list.

I have one piece of the native climbing fern (Lygodium palmatum) that I am keeping in a pot until a find a good place for it. It has the cutest fronds - like little hands. I have been trying to keep moss around the pot in case it release any spores (they germinate well in moss).

Mine usually grows well in spring and then dies back almost completely in the winter and then starts over. Is that what yours does?

This is a very good list and I learned a lot. I recommend any fern that remains green 12 months of the year, simply b/c it will give you 12 months of viewing pleasure. I have one, dont know its name, and have not had to water it in full shade. Anyone know its name? The leaves are smooth, shiny, has no "teeth" around the edges, shaped like a Camelia leaf, pointed at the tip, about 20 inches tall. Welcome to NC! I am near Winston-Salem, if you are near enough to attend my plant swap April 5th, please email me.

you probably have christmas fern, quirk- google it and see.

nc rescue, i just ordered a lygopodium palmatum from pinetree garden seeds. i'm excited- i'd been wanting to get one for a while. i love the japanese one (and yeah, i know, i know), but so far it hasn't been invasive for me. it has a few babies, but not tons- certainly not as many as lots of things. anyhow, it does go completely dormant in winter and grows from the ground in spring. i get about 14" + growth on it each year (up a 7' trellis and back down, and then some sometimes). mine's in mostly shade. i love the variance between the sterile and fertile fronds. if the american one does half as well, i'll be tickled and will definitely try to propate it to get more to swap and plant around.

Thanks for all the great suggestions - this really assists me in my search for an ideal fern.

Quirkpod - the plant exchange sounds great. Although I have no perrenials (yet) to trade - I am getting ready to start my summer veggies (indoors under my 4-tier light stand) - by April I should have plenty of inventory (flowers, tomatoes & peppers).

My lygodium palmatum is still a cute little bundle...has not tried to grow. Last winter it died down some, but so far this winter it is still the same size as in the summer. I think it needs a more neutral soil, so it is beside a concrete statue. I also have a small walking fern, but so far it has only gone one step!! It's still cute, so I will keep it and watch it. My garden is just for me, so if I can find the plant and enjoy watching it, it is ok with me, even if it doesn't grow much.

mmmm- walking fern is another on my wish list! they are adorable. well, maybe your climbing fern was in its sleep or creep years. perhaps this will be the year it leaps! i think my jap cl fern wasn't as vigorous the first year, but i've had it so long i hardly recall.