Which native ferns are suitable for the home landscape?

Question:

Which native ferns are suitable for the home landscape?

Answer:

Native ferns that are good additions to shady locations in the home landscape include,

• northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum),
• lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina),
• intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia),
• ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris),
• cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea),
• interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana). 

Most ferns perform best in moist soils in partial to heavy shade.  Learn more in this article: Growing Ferns in Iowa.