20 Plants That Are Perfect To Grow Alongside Ferns This Spring (2024)

By MOLLIE BROWN

Ferns are vascular plants that are estimated to have around 15,000 species within their genus.¹Yatskievych, G., Gifford, E. M., Wagner, W. H., Walker, W. F., & Mickel, J. T. (2023, January 17). Fern | Description, Features, Evolution, & Taxonomy. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/fern

These are moisture-loving plants that grow well in shaded areas and, if planted in the right spot, will make a relatively low-maintenance addition to your garden.

“Many woodland plants look great with ferns, growing as they do in similar conditions,” Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly says.

“These tend to be spring-flowering bulbs and perennials, which form a floral highlight that is replaced by the calming green of fern fronds.”

I have ferns that return to my garden borders every year without fail – they need zero upkeep and spread prolifically (something to bear in mind, though they are easy to identify and remove).

I never introduced them (they were already present when we moved in) but they will typically grow in the shaded area underneath shrubs and trees making them a great ‘space filler’ – and a complementary plant for areas that other plants might find difficult to grow.

If you already have ferns growing in your garden, you may wonder which other plants would work well in the same conditions to create a beautiful display.

Our Experts’ Top Picks

We asked some experts from dedicated fern nurseries to share their favourite companion plants to grow with ferns.

Neil Timm, Owner of The Fern Nursery, an award-winning fern supplier based in the heart of Lincolnshire, recommends a range of different shade-loving plants.

“Ferns partner very well with naturalised spring bulbs under trees since they do not have overlapping seasons and, therefore, do not compete,” he says.

“Spring bulbs start just after New Year and last until May, while most ferns start in May and last until Christmas. This sadly includes many of the so-called ‘evergreen’ ferns, which tend to be over by New Year.

“By using spring bulbs, you can get twelve months of interest in the space under trees.

“Also, any small creeping herbs, such as Creeping Jenny and Ajuga reptans, provide a cool root run for the ferns and their low stature does not detract from the fern’s shape.”

We also asked Mark Taylor, the Owner of Alchemy Ferns, to share his favourite companions.

“Ferns grow well with most plants but go particularly well when grown with hostas, grasses and under Japanese Acers,” Mark explains.

“They also work great in mixed plantings with shrubs and perennials, working together to provide a contrast of textures and forms.

“Alternatively, they can be grown alongside other shade-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, epimediums, or in a woodland planting scheme.”

“Generally, shade-loving plant species will happily co-exist with ferns, but it does depend on the fern species,” says Kylie, Horticulturist at Verdigris Ferns, a specialist nursery based in Australia.

“Personally, we have planted a lot of rainforest species with our ferns, but this is a personal preference and does reflect our climate and location.

“In a European garden, these choices might be slightly different.”

Hopefully, each of our growers has given you some ideas, but if you’re looking for more, there’s no need to worry.

We share twenty of our favourite plants that can be grown with ferns to compliment their green foliage and that will thrive in the same conditions – as well as providing additional interest to your garden beds.

1) Hostas

• BOTANICAL NAME: hosta
• COMMON NAME(S): plantain lily
• HARDINESS RATING: H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Hostas love the shade, so are an obvious choice to grow with ferns right off the bat.

Although they sometimes produce trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer months, these plants are mainly recognised for their stunning foliage which comes in a range of colours and hues.

These versatile plants will make a great addition to your display of ferns, which can act as a serene backdrop to the additional subtle burst of (often variegated) colour that hostas provide.

2) Hellebore

• BOTANICAL NAME: hellebore
• COMMON NAME(S): christmas rose / lenten rose
• HARDINESS RATING: H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): winter
• SUNLIGHT: varies by type
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Also favouring the same growing conditions, hellebores are another great companion plant for ferns.

They produce stunning star-shaped flowers in various colours over the winter months, with sepals instead of the usual petals, and can act as a great accent plant amongst the foliage of ferns.

3) Coral Bells

• BOTANICAL NAME: Heucherasanguinea
• COMMON NAME(S): coral bells
• HARDINESS RATING: H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Not only do Coral Bells bear tiny tubular flowers from long, often brightly coloured stems in summer, but these plants also produce stunning leaves that come in a dazzling array of shades from deep purple to yellow and everything in between.

These semi-evergreen perennials work well with ferns as they both adore the shade and will survive even in poor weather.

Both prized for their year-round foliage, these two plants will bring interest to your garden beds with minimal care all throughout the year.

4) Forget-Me-Nots

• BOTANICAL NAME: Myosotissylvatica
• COMMON NAME(S): garden forget-me-not
• HARDINESS RATING: H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Perfect for spring displays, Forget-Me-Nots can bring joy to any garden with their small blue flowers that protrude from tall green stems.

Like ferns, they prefer a part-shaded spot and can be used as a ground cover plant to add a splash of colour at the base of taller foliage plants.

Forget-me-nots self-seed regularly, so are suited to wildflower gardens or more natural planting schemes where ferns can also thrive.²Perrone, J. (2017, December 1). Plant of the week: forget-me-not. The Guardian. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/apr/29/plant-of-week-forget-me-not-gatecrasher

5) Spotted Dead Nettle

• BOTANICAL NAME: Lamiummaculatum
• COMMON NAME(S): spotted dead nettle
• HARDINESS RATING: H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Spotted dead nettles are fully hardy perennial plants that are often found at the base of trees in woodland areas, due to their love for shade.³Spotted dead-nettle. (2022, April 11). The Morton Arboretum. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/spotted-dead-nettle/

They produce small pink or purple flowers on tall stems and heart-shaped fuzzy leaves that are more recognisable as the nettles that so many of us try to avoid.

Despite their reputation, this plant looks great in natural garden displays and grows well with other shade-loving plants like ferns.

6) Bluebells

• BOTANICAL NAME: Hyacinthoidesnon-scripta
• COMMON NAME(S): bluebell / bluebottle / bell bottle
• HARDINESS RATING: H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: exposure / sheltered

A staple for the British garden, bluebells produce blue bell-shaped flowers that make it easy to see why they got their name.⁴Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). (n.d.-b). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/bluebell/

Another shade-favouring perennial, bluebells are a natural companion plant for ferns, as their distinctive flowers provide colourful interest against their green foliage.

These two plants would work brilliantly in a traditional English cottage garden scheme.

7) Barrenwort

• BOTANICAL NAME: Epimedium×perralchicum
• COMMON NAME(S): barrenwort
• HARDINESS RATING: H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Barrenwort is an unusual herbaceous perennial that produces strange star-like sprays of flowers in spring.

Although it can cope in full sun, it prefers a shaded spot in a sheltered location and is not too fussy about its growing medium – a great option for pairing with ferns.

8) Bleeding Heart

• BOTANICAL NAME: Lamprocapnosspectabilis
• COMMON NAME(S): bleeding heart
• HARDINESS RATING: H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Lamprocapnosspectabilis, better known as the bleeding heart plant, is a deciduous, shade-loving, hardy plant that sometimes produces foliage that is not too dissimilar to that of ferns themselves.

However, the most special thing about these plants is the flowers, which are delicate and loveheart-shaped, often with a pink and white tinge.

This stunning bushy perennial would provide some colourful contrast to the ferns in your garden as long as the growing medium is not acidic – something to consider when planting bleeding hearts in your existing displays.

9) Caladiums

• BOTANICAL NAME: caladium
• COMMON NAME(S): angel wings
• HARDINESS RATING: H1B
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Caladiums are beautiful foliage plants that produce large heart-shaped leaves that are often variegated in shades of green, pink, red and white.

They bring an exotic flare when paired with ferns and look great as part of a jungle scheme, or if you just fancy adding a touch of the wilderness.

Bear in mind that these plants are frost-tender so cannot survive winters outside here in the UK as ferns can – growing them in pots which can be moved indoors after the summer is generally your best option.

10) Canna

• BOTANICAL NAME: canna
• COMMON NAME(S): canna
• HARDINESS RATING: H3
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

With a hardiness rating of H3, canna is another plant that you will have to be mindful of over the winter months, which is something to keep in mind when choosing what plants to grow with ferns.

‘Stuttgart’ is a particularly well-suited variety for ferns – its large variegated cream and green leaves make this plant a wonderful statement for any shaded spot in your garden.

Whilst its foliage is at the forefront of its display, peach-coloured flowers also protrude from tall stems in the summer and autumn months.

11) Sedge

• BOTANICAL NAME: carex
• COMMON NAME(S): sedge
• HARDINESS RATING: H5/H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

This evergreen perennial has a grassy appearance and is highly prized for its ornamental value in the garden.

Sedges can be planted next to ferns, as they prefer a sheltered site in partial shade, also making them ideal for planting with other options on this list.

Preferring clay soil, be mindful that this plant will not grow in dry growing conditions and, like ferns, needs moisture to survive.

12) Wintergreen

• BOTANICAL NAME: Gaultheria cuneata
• COMMON NAME(S): cuneate wintergreen
• HARDINESS RATING: H5
• PLANT TYPE: shrub
• FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Gaultheria cuneata is a dwarf shrub that bears small waxy leaves and white cup-shaped flowers during spring and summer.

These small leaves would serve as a contrast to the large rigid leaves of a fern, whilst the flowers provide accents when the two are planted together.

Favouring a shaded spot, this plant is a great choice if you want a companion plant that will provide interest all year-round in your garden.

13) Asarabacca

• BOTANICAL NAME: Asarumeuropaeum
• COMMON NAME(S): asarabacca / wild ginger / foalfoot
• HARDINESS RATING: H6
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

With glossy dark green leaves that are shaped like kidneys, asarabaccas make a wonderful addition to any shaded planting scheme.

The rounded foliage is a great counterpart and contrast to the rigid leaves from the fronds of ferns, providing multilayered interest that would look great in a garden border or any foliage display.

14) Ajugas

• BOTANICAL NAME: ajuga
• COMMON NAME(S): bugle / bugleherb / ground pine
• HARDINESS RATING: H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

Ajugas, typically used for ground cover, provide stunning foliage and pretty flowers that can look great as companion plants for larger trees and shrubs.

With green, purple or marbled-leaved varieties to choose from, you’re bound to find at least one of these easy-to-grow cultivars to suit your fern displays.

Make sure that, as with most plants on this list, you grow ajuga in moist but free-draining soil, as these evergreen perennials do not tolerate dry conditions.

15) Strawberry Begonia

• BOTANICAL NAME: Saxifragastolonifera
• COMMON NAME(S): creeping saxifrage / strawberry begonia
• HARDINESS RATING: H2
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: semi-evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: sheltered

The strawberry begonia plant loves shade and has stunning foliage that would look great amongst the leaves of ferns.

As one of the most frost-tender plants on this list, it’s important to think about how you will care for this begonia plant during the colder months.

It might be worth planting this perennial in a container with fern, so both can be moved into a sheltered winter spot.

16) Geraniums

• BOTANICAL NAME: geranium
• HARDINESS RATING: H6/H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial / annual
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Geraniums are popular garden plants that are easy to grow in beds, borders and containers.

If you want to try something different, I’d recommend planting geraniums and ferns in a large container for a beautiful potted display that would look great in front of a house or garden fence.

17) Astilbes

• BOTANICAL NAME: astilbe
• COMMON NAME(S): false goat’s beard
• HARDINESS RATING: H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Astilbes are a favourite of mine and, although I’m biased, it’s easy to see why.

Capable of growing in most conditions and returning year after year, this low-maintenance perennial will produce beautiful fluffy flowers in a range of hues on tall spikes throughout the summer.

Not only will their flowers compliment ferns as companion plants, but their own frilly foliage will also look great in a leafy display.

18) Japanese Mahonia

• BOTANICAL NAME: Mahonia japonica
• COMMON NAME(S): Japanese mahonia
• HARDINESS RATING: H5
• PLANT TYPE: shrub
• FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): autumn / winter / spring
• FRUIT SEASON(S): winter / spring
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full shade
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

A shrub that can grow up to 1.5m in height with almost double the spread, Japanese Mahonia makes a great companion to foliage displays that last all year round.

This plant loves shade and is unfussy about the growing medium, making it ideal for planting with ferns.

Although its evergreen foliage steals the show, this shrub also produces stunning yellow flowers from autumn to spring and even bears rounded blue fruits in the colder months.

If you’re looking for a companion plant that has a bit of everything, Japanese mahonia is surely your best bet.

19) Corydalis

• BOTANICAL NAME: corydalis
• COMMON NAME(S): corydalis
• HARDINESS RATING: H5
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
• SUNLIGHT: part shade
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Corydalis plants produce dainty yellow or blue tube-shaped flowers that often grow in clusters in spring and summer.

As they are relatively short in height, reaching no higher than 0.5m, these shade-favouring perennials could make a great ground cover plant when combined with the arching green foliage of ferns.

In fact, their own leaves resemble that of ferns, with one variety, the fern-leaved corydalis (C. cheilanthifolia), getting its name from its foliage that is often mistaken for a true fern.

20) Joe Pye Weed

• BOTANICAL NAME: Eutrochiummaculatum
• COMMON NAME(S): Joe pye weed
• HARDINESS RATING: H7
• PLANT TYPE: perennial
• FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
• FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer / autumn
• SUNLIGHT: part shade / full sun
• EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered

Perhaps a more uncommon choice, Joe Pye weed should not be overlooked: this deciduous perennial produces clusters of beautiful pink flowers throughout summer and autumn that are bound to compliment the leafy green foliage of ferns.

As a fully hardy and unfussy plant, Eutrochiummaculatum can be grown in shade with your ferns and would be another great choice for a more natural garden scheme.

These plants are also a great choice for a wildlife garden, as their foliage provides great shelter for animals and birds over the colder months.

• 1

  Yatskievych, G., Gifford, E. M., Wagner, W. H., Walker, W. F., & Mickel, J. T. (2023, January 17). Fern | Description, Features, Evolution, & Taxonomy. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/fern

• 2

  Perrone, J. (2017, December 1). Plant of the week: forget-me-not. The Guardian. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/apr/29/plant-of-week-forget-me-not-gatecrasher

• 3

  Spotted dead-nettle. (2022, April 11). The Morton Arboretum. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/spotted-dead-nettle/

• 4

  Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). (n.d.-b). Woodland Trust. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/bluebell/