Ferns are true survivors—they’re actually some of the oldest plants on the planet! Because they’ve been around so long, they’ve branched out into over 17,000 different species worldwide. While most of these beauties call the tropical rainforests home, only about 200 species are native to Europe. This means that, generally speaking, many ferns aren’t naturally built for freezing winters.
Frost-Resistant Varieties
The good news for us gardeners is that the varieties found growing wild in Central Europe are usually tough enough to handle a cold winter outdoors without much fuss. If you’re looking for a fern that can stand up to the frost, keep an eye out for these:
- Maidenhair Fern
- Male Fern
- Spleenwort
- Ostrich Fern
- Hard Fern
- Hart’s-Tongue Fern
- Holly Fern
- Golden-Scaled Male Fern
- Common Polypody
- Bracken Fern
- Rustyback Fern
- Autumn Fern
- Elephant Trunk Fern
- Tree Fern (certain hardy varieties)
Helping Your Ferns Through the Winter
Even though these hardy varieties can usually survive a deep freeze on their own, it’s a great idea to give them a little extra TLC starting in late fall. A bit of winter protection helps the plant regenerate during its dormant phase, which usually leads to much lusher, happier growth come spring. If you have your ferns planted in the ground rather than in containers, here are a few simple steps to take before the first frost hits:
- If your fern has a visible trunk, wrap it up with some garden fleece or straw mats.
- Protect the root zone by covering the ground with a thick layer of mulch, fallen leaves, or brushwood.
- You can either trim the fronds back by about half or gently tie them together to protect the crown.
A Few Extra Tips
Timing is everything! Make sure you stop fertilizing your ferns by September or October so they can start hardening off for winter. Once spring rolls around, you’ll want to clear away any dead fronds to make room for new growth. You can also get ahead of this by pruning them in the fall, but it’s not strictly necessary—the plant will be just fine either way!
