Top native chain ferns

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

Filter

3 native plants

Sun and shade

Light

Part shade 3 Dappled shade 2 Full shade 1

Soil and water

Moisture

Water use

Medium 2 High 1

Soil

Sand 1 Loam 1 Organic 1

Soil pH

Toughness

Deer resistant

Resists

Heavy shade 2 Wet soil 2

Form

Habit

Arching 1 Creeping 1 Spreading 1

Plant type

Fern 3 Ground cover 1 Herbaceous perennial 1 Perennial 1 Wildflower 1