I may be biased when it comes to ferns because I grew up with hippie parents in wooded Mill Valley, CA, during the 70s.
One of the joys of autumn fern is its ever-changing foliage color.
Dryopteris erythrosora
Photograph by Christin Geall, from Curb Appeal: Year-Round Greenery in a Cold Climate.
A giant chain fern creates partial privacy here for a window.
Woodwardia fimbriata
Photograph via Brian’s Botanicals.
Photograph courtesy of Terremoto, from Before & After: From Desert to Redwood Forest, the Essence of California in One LA Garden.
Giant chain fern growing in the background of this San Francisco yard.
Known as “giant chain fern”, this large fern can reach close to five feet high and is native to western North America, including California, which is one reason why I like this sturdy, evergreen fern—I am a supporter of planting natives.
Western sword fern grows beside a trail in Tilden Park near Berkeley, California. Another fantastic and easy-to-grow California native, western sword fern is evergreen with slightly arching dark green fronds forming a clump of up to three feet high.
Photograph by John Rusk via Flickr, from Gardening 101: Western Sword Ferns.
Polystichum munitum
Blechnum brasiliense
While I really like stately tree ferns, sometimes there isn’t room for them. Growing to four to five feet tall, with a short trunk that emerges with age, the fern likes part shade to shade and regular water.
Photograph via Siam Green Culture.
I use Japanese holly fern in tricky shady spots frequented by deer. Plant this carefree fern under trees, to hide the bottom of foundations, or in containers.
Cyrtomium falcatum
Photograph via HH Plant Nursery.