Outdoor Garden Ferns

Garden ferns are beautiful foliage plants that will add texture and movement to shadier areas of the garden. Their fronds add proper texture and movement to areas under trees, along north-facing walls, or in woodland borders where most flowering plants tend to wither. Ferns don't just survive in shade; they actually prefer it.

We've got tree ferns if you want height and impact, plus lower-growing types for layering under shrubs or filling gaps. Dicksonia antarctica gives you that tropical look with its thick trunk and spreading fronds. Lady ferns and shuttlecock ferns work brilliantly for softer, more woodland-style planting. All of them grow well outdoors in the UK and look good from spring right through autumn.

Want some colour with your ferns? Astilbe pairs really well. Its feathery plumes light up dark corners, while the fern foliage provides a lush green backdrop.

Varieties in Our Garden Ferns Collection

We've got different heights and textures depending on what your shaded space needs.

Dicksonia antarctica (Tree Fern): Architectural trunk fern with spreading crown, makes a statement in sheltered gardens.

Lady Fern (Athyrium Filix-Femina): Its delicate, feathery fronds are great for planting in the woods and softening hard edges.

Male Fern (Dryopteris Filix-Mas): A hardy, dependable fern with strong, upright fronds that can grow in most shady areas.

Shuttlecock Fern: Distinctive vase shape with fresh green fronds in spring, spreads slowly over time.

Polypodium Vulgare: Evergreen variety that keeps its structure and colour through the winter months.

Each fern is raised in UK conditions and inspected for strong roots and healthy fronds before leaving our nursery.

Foliage Plants Shade Loving Outdoor Plants

Why Choose Garden Ferns from Carbeth Plants?

We've got a particular appreciation for ferns. They transform shaded spaces with texture and movement whilst asking for very little in return. Our growers raise hardy, well-rooted plants that settle quickly into outdoor soil and stay healthy for years.

Grown for real gardens: Every fern in our collection is grown in the UK and tested in local conditions. You're getting plants that expect local UK weather rather than hoping Mediterranean varieties will cope.

Selected for shape and character: We choose varieties based on their shape and character, making sure they add structure, texture, and grace to different types of gardens. Not just anything that can be bought in bulk.

Healthy, strong plants: Before shipping, we check each fern for strong roots and bright fronds. You get plants that are ready to grow, not ones that are barely alive.

Packed with care: We put plants in breathable packaging that keeps moisture in and damage out while they are being shipped.

Practical guidance provided: Our team offers useful advice to help you plant, water, and position your ferns for lasting success in your specific conditions.

At Carbeth Plants, we grow plants we believe in and send them to gardeners who'll enjoy them for years.

Seasonal Interest: Quiet Beauty All Year

Ferns bring subtle, ever-changing beauty throughout the year without shouting about it.

Spring: In the spring, new fronds grow up from the ground, giving shaded beds a new look and feel with their soft green colour. This is when they seem the most fragile.

Summer: In the summer, the leaves get thicker and spread out, creating cool, green canopies that sway in the wind. Great for making it feel like you're in the woods.

Autumn: The fronds turn bronze and copper before going to sleep for the winter. Deciduous types die back on their own, while evergreen types keep their shape.

Winter: Evergreen plants like Polypodium keep gardens full of structure and life even when most other plants have died.

With thoughtful planting and a mix of evergreen and deciduous types, your ferns can keep shaded spaces alive and interesting from season to season.

How to Grow and Care for Garden Ferns

Ferns are surprisingly easy to look after once you understand their basic needs. They actually thrive in those tricky, shaded, damp spots where most other plants struggle or refuse to grow properly.

Pick the right spot: Shade is essential—partial to full works best. Sheltered positions away from strong winds are ideal. Direct sun scorches fronds, especially during hot spells in July and August.

Sort the soil out first: Mix in compost or leaf mould before planting. Ferns want soft, moisture-retentive soil, not heavy clay that stays waterlogged. If you've got clay, work in plenty of organic matter to open it up.

Plant at the right depth: Keep the crown of the fern level with the soil surface, allowing new fronds to emerge freely. Too deep and you'll rot the crown.

Water regularly: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially when it's dry, but don't let it get too wet, as this can hurt the roots. Established ferns do better with occasional drought than with constant wetness.

Feed once in a while: Ferns don't need to be fed very often, but a spring mulch of compost or organic matter helps keep the soil fertile and able to hold moisture.

Gently tidy up: To keep plants neat and healthy, cut off old fronds in late winter, before new growth starts. Don't cut back evergreens unless their fronds are broken.

Your outdoor ferns will grow steadily and make peaceful green displays that come back stronger each year if you give them regular water and basic care.

Our Promise and Delivery

We check every fern before it leaves our nursery. Each one gets inspected for healthy roots and decent fronds, then packed properly to keep moisture in and protect those delicate leaves during transit.

Delivery covers the whole of the UK. We ship quickly during planting season, so you won't have to wait weeks for your plants to arrive.

Order ferns today and fill those awkward shaded spots that nothing else wants to grow in.

Bring Calm and Character to Your Garden

Ferns add depth, texture, and elegance to shaded areas where other plants may fade. They turn dark corners into lively, moving places, from tall tree ferns to low-growing woodland types. Take a look at all of our ferns for gardens and see how these classic plants can make your yard even better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hardy varieties like lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), and Polypodium vulgare work brilliantly for outdoor planting in the UK. They tolerate shade and cold weather with ease.
Yes, most hardy ferns can stay outside all year without any problems. Evergreen ferns keep their fronds all winter, but deciduous ferns die back and come back in the spring.
Ferns prefer partial or full shade with consistently moist soil. Too much direct sun scorches their fronds, especially during hot weather. They're made for shaded spots.
Keep soil damp, mulch annually with organic matter, and protect the crown from frost if your garden's very exposed. Ferns are resilient but respond best to regular watering and sheltered positions.
Yes! Many smaller ferns thrive in pots filled with moisture-retentive compost. During the warmer days, make sure the container has good drainage and stays in the shade.