Finding the right plants to grow with your ferns can make your shady garden look complete. Fern companion plants are perfect for shady gardens, adding color, texture, and seasonal interest to those dim corners. This guide will help you choose the best partners for your ferns, creating a lush, layered look that thrives without full sun.
Shady gardens are a special opportunity. They offer a cool, calm retreat. The key is to work with plants that naturally enjoy lower light levels. Ferns are the classic choice, but they don’t have to stand alone. By adding thoughtful companions, you build a resilient and beautiful ecosystem.
Fern Companion Plants – Perfect for Shady Gardens
This combination is the foundation of a timeless woodland garden. The right companions will highlight the delicate fronds of your ferns. They fill in gaps, provide blooms, and extend visual interest through all seasons. Let’s look at what makes a plant a good partner for ferns in the shade.
What Makes a Good Fern Companion?
Great companions share similar needs. They should enjoy the same conditions your ferns do. This means they thrive in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. They should not be overly aggressive spreaders that might overwhelm your ferns. Look for plants that offer a contrast in form or a pop of color.
- Similar Light Needs: All plants should prefer partial to full shade.
- Complementary Growth Habits: Choose plants with different leaf shapes or growth heights.
- Non-Competitive Roots: Avoid plants with dense, thirsty root systems.
- Seasonal Interest: Select plants that bloom or fruit at different times.
Top Shade-Loving Companions for Ferns
Here are some of the most reliable and beautiful plants to grow alongside your ferns. These selections are proven performers in shady settings.
1. Hostas
Hostas and ferns are a classic pair. The broad, bold leaves of hostas create a stunning contrast with the fine, textured fronds of ferns. They come in endless sizes, colors, and variegations. This allows for incredible design flexibility in your shady beds.
- Plant hostas behind or between clumps of ferns for depth.
- Choose blue-leaved hostas to cool down a green palette.
- Yellow or gold variegated hostas brighten dark corners.
2. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera adds vibrant, lasting color with its foliage. Leaves come in shades of purple, lime green, silver, and deep burgundy. Their airy flower spikes in spring or early summer add another layer. They form neat mounds that fit perfectly around fern bases.
- Use purple heuchera like ‘Palace Purple’ near silver ferns.
- Lime varieties like ‘Lime Marmalade’ make green ferns pop.
- They enjoy the same well-drained, humus-rich soil.
3. Astilbe
Astilbe provides feathery plumes of flowers in early to mid-summer. This is when many ferns are at their peak greenery. The flowers come in pink, white, red, and lavender. Their fern-like foliage also complements true ferns beautifully.
They need consistent moisture, just like most ferns. This makes them ideal partners in a regularly watered shady border.
4. Hellebores (Lenten Rose)
Hellebores are valuable because they bloom very early in spring. Their nodding flowers appear when little else is happening. Their leathery, evergreen leaves provide structure in winter after ferns have died back. They are tough, long-lived plants.
- Plant hellebores near deciduous ferns for year-round interest.
- They thrive in deep shade under deciduous trees.
- Their subtle flower colors pair well with all fern greens.
5. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
This ornamental grass brings a flowing, arching form to the shade. Its bright gold or variegated cultivars act like a beam of sunlight. It contrasts wonderfully with the upright or spreading habit of many ferns. It’s a slow grower and won’t become invasive.
6. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
The old-fashioned charm of bleeding heart is undeniable. Its heart-shaped pink or white flowers dangle from arching stems in spring. The foliage is finely dissected, similar to some ferns. It often goes dormant in midsummer, leaving space for ferns to fill in.
Planting Your Fern Companion Garden
Getting your plants off to a good start is crucial. Proper planting ensures they establish quickly and grow strong together. Follow these steps for the best results.
Step 1: Prepare the Soil
Shade plants almost always demand good soil. Since they often compete with tree roots, you need to give them a boost.
- Clear the area of weeds and debris.
- Dig a hole wider than the root ball of your plant.
- Mix the native soil with plenty of compost or leaf mold.
- This improves drainage and adds nutrients ferns and their friends love.
Step 2: Arrange Your Plants
Think about height, texture, and color before you put anything in the ground. Place taller plants like some astilbes or larger ferns at the back or center. Put medium plants like hostas in the middle. Use low growers like heuchera or small ferns at the front. Always check the mature size on the plant tag.
Step 3: Planting and Watering
- Place each plant in its hole at the same depth it was in the pot.
- Backfill with your soil-compost mix and firm gently.
- Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil.
- Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch like shredded bark to retain moisture.
Caring for Your Shade Garden
Once established, a fern companion garden is relatively low-maintenance. But it does need some specific care to look its best. Consistent moisture is the most important factor, especially in the first year and during dry spells.
Watering Wisely
Shade gardens dry out slower than sunny ones, but they still need water. Water deeply at the base of plants rather than sprinkling the foliage. Early morning is the best time. This allows leaves to dry, preventing fungal diseases that can plague damp, shady areas.
Feeding and Mulching
These plants are not heavy feeders. A top dressing of compost in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage weak, leafy growth. Replenish your mulch layer each spring to suppress weeds and keep roots cool and moist.
Seasonal Maintenance
- Spring: Cut back any remaining dead fern fronds. Divide overcrowded clumps of hostas or ferns.
- Summer: Deadhead astilbe flowers if you wish, but it’s not required. Stay on top of watering.
- Fall: Let fern fronds turn brown naturally; they protect the crown over winter. You can clear other perennials as they die back.
- Winter: Enjoy the structural beauty of evergreen ferns and hellebore leaves.
Design Tips for a Layered Look
A great garden has layers. This is especially true in the shade, where you rely more on form than flower. Use plants of varying heights to create depth. Repeat key plants or colors to create rhythm. Don’t be afraid to mix leaf sizes—large hosta leaves next to tiny fern fronds is very effective.
Consider adding non-plant elements for interest. A simple stone path or a moss-covered log can add a natural feel. These elements also provide habitat for beneficial insects that help your garden thrive.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even in shade, you might encounter a few issues. Slugs and snails love the damp environment and tender hosta leaves. Use organic slug bait or traps to manage them. Poor drainage can lead to root rot. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it generously with compost to improve its structure.
If plants become to crowded, they may compete for resources. Dividing them every few years keeps everything healthy. This is a simple way to get more plants for free, too.
FAQ: Fern Companion Planting
What are the best plants to put with ferns?
The best plants are those that share ferns’ love for moist, well-drained shade. Top choices include hostas, heuchera, astilbe, hellebores, and bleeding heart. These provide contrasting color, texture, and bloom times.
Can I plant flowers with ferns in the shade?
Absolutely. Many flowers thrive in shade. Astilbe, bleeding heart, lungwort (Pulmonaria), and foxglove (Digitalis) are excellent flowering companions for ferns. They add seasonal color without needing full sun.
How do you arrange ferns in a garden?
Arrange ferns in groups or drifts for a natural look. Place taller varieties like Ostrich Fern in the back and shorter ones like Japanese Painted Fern in front. Interplant them with your chosen companions to create a mixed, textured border.
What ground cover goes with ferns?
For a ground cover layer, consider creeping plants like sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), wild ginger (Asarum), or moss. These fill the lowest level, suppress weeds, and complement the upright habit of most ferns. They also help maintain soil moisture.
Creating a garden with fern companion plants is a rewarding project. It brings life and beauty to the challenging shady spots in your yard. By choosing the right partners and providing simple care, you can enjoy a lush, serene retreat for many years. Remember, the goal is to create a community of plants that support each other. With these ideas, your shady garden will become a place of quiet beauty and endless interest.