Top native wood ferns

22 species, native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.

Filter

22 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Part shade 9 Dappled shade 8 Full shade 9

Soil and water

Moisture

Well drained 6 Moist 8 Wet 3

Water use

Medium 2 High 3

Soil

Sand 1 Loam 8 Clay 6 Organic 8

Soil pH

Acid 9 Neutral 2

Toughness

Deer resistant

Resists

Heavy shade 6 Wet soil 5 Rabbits 4 Dry soil 2 Squirrels 1

Form

Habit

Arching 5 Erect 5 Clumping 4 Creeping 3 Mounding 1 Vase 1

Plant type

Fern 21 Perennial 13 Wildflower 13 Herbaceous perennial 7 Ground cover 2