Red Beauty Fern
The Red Beauty Fern, Athyrium 'Red Beauty', is a very vigorous and attractive relative to the Japanese Painted Fern. The Red Beauty Fern is a quick-growing plant for any partly to fully shaded garden location. The stems and veins remain bright red from spring to frost, while its long, elegant, lacy fronds cast silvery-green shadows in the shade. The upright fronds do not turn green in hot summer weather. You can use this plant as a groundcover because of its broad habit and fast growth. The Red Beauty can be used in containers, borders, and the fronds may be used for indoor arrangements. The deeply-dissected, fern-like, medium green leaves have a strong, somewhat spicy aroma that may persist when used in dried arrangements. Rabbits prefer not to eat on the Red Beauty Fern. Place this plant in moist, well-drained, enriched soil. ... more information
Leatherwood Fern The Leatherwood Fern or Marginal Shield Fern is an evergreen fern which typically forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump to 1. 5-2' (infrequently to 3') tall. This is a woodland fern which is most often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Leatherwood Ferns features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds (15-20" long). Sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, hence the common name. These ferns prefer loamy moist soils, and do best in cool position in the garden, so avoid the afternoon sun. The evergreen fronds are very attractive and provide good interest to the winter landscape.
