Ferns
Various genera
Special Features
A diverse group with feathery fronds that bring a natural, woodland feel to gardens. Excel in creating texture and greenery in shaded areas.
Plant Specifications
Our team will help you integrate this plant into your landscape design
Growing Ferns on Martha's Vineyard
Ferns represent one of the most ecologically and aesthetically important plant groups for Martha's Vineyard landscape maintenance, with native species providing unmatched adaptability to the island's range of shade conditions, soil types, and moisture regimes. Interrupted fern and cinnamon fern command moisture-retentive areas near ponds, while hay-scented fern naturalizes aggressively in the dry oak woodlands of up-island properties, and the ostrich fern delivers bold architectural structure in the moister hollows of Chilmark and West Tisbury estates. All native ferns tolerate the island's acidic, sandy soils and thrive without significant fertilization, making them practical anchors for low-maintenance woodland garden programs.
Deer resistance is strong across most native fern species, supporting their use in open garden and woodland edge situations throughout the island. Estate Care professionals integrate ferns as structural ground layer plants in shade garden renovations where ecological appropriateness and low maintenance are equally important to the design outcome.
