You are going to have to describe what you mean my "retain(s) water". No fern is going to tolerant standing water. If you meaning that the soil is merely slow to dry that is different. You could also simply, build up the soil back there and plant your ferns. Ferns are great, I love 'em. They are easy to propagate.., and are deer proof. If your conditions are moist (but not flooded), you can go with any native or non-native species, there are hundreds. I don't know, name one? Maybe the Japanese painted fern is one of my favorites.

No standing water, it just tends to stay moist after a lot of rain. The water will collect if it's very heavy rain, but it drains within a day. My sweetspire loves it, has grown like crazy. The astilbe as well. So conditions suited for those sort of water-loving plants but not bog-like.

Hi

How about Japanese painted fern?? Athrium niponicum?? In your area should be a perrenial. One of the few ferns with color besides green lol Also has a good growing habit forming mounds and not too aggressive.

I have trouble due to my long hot humid summers but when the weather breaks they pick right up gary,