Ferns

Ferns have been around for a long time. We’re talking hundreds of millions of years. They're the tough guys of the woodland world. You’ve got to be pretty hardcore to withstand a mass extinction event, after all... Our growers have an incredible eight RHS gold medals and over sixty years of experience to their name, so you know that you’ll only get the very best.

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  • Woodland Fern Collection Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ20
    ÂŁ24 From ÂŁ20

    Woodland Fern Collection

    Primal-feeling forest ferns

    • Includes a variety of distinct fern plants
    • Ideal for shady borders and woodland gardens
    • Colours to contrast and complement
    • A range of textures for maximum interest

    3 options available

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  • Premium Fern Collection Pond Plants
    ÂŁ45
    ÂŁ45

    Premium Fern Collection

    The perfect mix of stylish ferns

    • An array of wonderfully-textured foliage
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grows in all light (part shade is best)
    • Ideal for damp ground and shady borders

    1 option available

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  • Autumn Fern | Dryopteris Erythrosora 'Koidzumiana' Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ8
    ÂŁ8

    Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora 'Koidzumiana'

    Autumnal shades all year round

    • Prefers a spot in part or full shade
    • Grow in pots or a shady woodland border
    • Compact and neat form
    • Easy to grow, with no pruning needed

    1 option available

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  • Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium niponicum metallicum Pond Plants
    ÂŁ23
    ÂŁ23

    Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium niponicum metallicum

    Year-round texture and interest

    • Blue, green, maroon and silver tones
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grows in all light (part shade is best)
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • 3 Lady Fern | Athyrium filix femina | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    ÂŁ23
    ÂŁ23

    Lady Fern | Athyrium filix femina

    An elegant deciduous fern

    • Elegant lacy fronds in vibrant green hues
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grows in all light (prefers part shade)
    • British native fern, ideal cover for wildlife

    1 option available

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  • Discover

    More wonderful woodland plants

  • Japanese Lace fern | Polystichum polyblepharum Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ8
    ÂŁ8

    Japanese Lace Fern | Polystichum polyblepharum

    Evergreen for year-round colour

    • Plant in deep or partial shade
    • Grow as part of a woodland border
    • Shuttlecocks of glossy green fronds
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • Common Polypodium Fern | Polypodium vulgare Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ8
    ÂŁ8

    Native Evergreen Fern | Polypodium vulgare

    Stays fresh all year round

    • Plant in sun or dappled shade if possible
    • Perfect for groundcover
    • Leathery fronds with lobed leaflets
    • A fully hardy, drought-tolerant evergreen

    1 option available

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  • Herrenhausen Fern | Polystichum Herrenhausen Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Herrenhausen Fern | Polystichum herrenhausen

    Timeless beauty, bold presence

    • Grows well in both part and full shade
    • An excellent woodland scheme plant
    • Arching fronds with finely-toothed leaflets
    • Dramatic architectural form

    2 options available

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  • Discover

    Plants for a perfect pond

  • 3 Japanese Tassel Ferns | 9 cm Pots Pond Plants
    ÂŁ23
    ÂŁ23

    Japanese Tassel Ferns

    Fresh colours all year round

    • Unfurling foliage that looks like tassels!
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grows in all light (part shade is best)
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • 3 Autumn Ferns | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    ÂŁ23
    ÂŁ23

    Pondside Fern Pack

    A beautiful array of greenery

    • Arching triangular foliage
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Tolerates all light conditions
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • Alpine Wood Fern | Dryopteris Wallichiana 'Jurassic Gold' Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ8
    ÂŁ8

    Alpine Wood Fern | Dryopteris Wallichiana 'Jurassic Gold'

    Discovered on the Jurassic coast

    • Grows nicely in all shade levels
    • A great option for underplanting trees
    • Foliage in glinting amber shades
    • Fully hardy and disease resistant

    1 option available

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  • Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora

    Captivating seasonal foliage

    • Grow in everything from shade to sun
    • Adds interest to shady pondsides
    • Emerges copper, matures to deep green
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Tassel Fern | Polystichum polyblepharum Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ15
    ÂŁ15

    Tassel Fern | Polystichum polyblepharum

    Tassel-like elegance in green

    • Grows in everything from part to full shade
    • Use as a feature plant on shady patios
    • Foliage forms a cascade of tassels
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    1 option available

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  • 3 Eared Lady Fern | Athyrium otophorum okanum | 9cm Pots Pond Plants
    ÂŁ23
    ÂŁ23

    Eared Lady Fern | Athyrium otophorum okanum

    Amongst the most striking ferns

    • Yellow and green leaves with purple midribs
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Grows in all light (prefers part shade)
    • Brightens any shady border!

    1 option available

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  • Growers' Talk

    Woodland garden design guide

  • Soft Tree Fern | Dicksonia antarctica Ornamental Trees
    From ÂŁ100
    From ÂŁ100

    Hardy Tree Fern | Dicksonia antarctica

    Fronds as old as the dinosaurs!

    • Glorious curving fronds
    • Perfect for shady gardens
    • Evergreen leaves up to 3m long
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Lace Fern | Dryopteris Linearis Polydactila Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Lace Fern | Dryopteris Linearis Polydactila

    Lace-like texture, stunning form

    • Happy in all light (prefers part shade)
    • Elevates shady beds and borders
    • Perfect cover for wildlife
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    2 options available

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  • Soft Shield Fern | Polystichum Plumosum Densum Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Soft Shield Fern | Polystichum Plumosum Densum

    Soft and lush, textured delight

    • A position in part shade is perfect
    • Instantly transform that shady garden spot
    • Feathery fronds create a fluffy look
    • A relatively drought-tolerant fern

    2 options available

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  • Matteuccia struthiopteris Perennial Plants
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Ostrich Fern | Matteuccia struthiopteris

    Bold and statuesque centrepiece

    • Loves shady conditions (part to full shade)
    • Adds interest to shady borders and ponds
    • Large fronds resembling ostrich feathers!
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

  • Athyrium Metallicum Pond Plants
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Japanese Painted Fern | Athyrium metallicum

    Year-round texture and interest

    • Excels in both full shade and part shade
    • A great choice for damp, shady spots
    • Blue, green, maroon and silver tones
    • Standout choice for texture and interest

    Currently out of stock

  • Painted Lady Fern | Athyrium Niponicum 'Pictum' Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ8
    ÂŁ8

    Painted Lady Fern | Athyrium Niponicum 'Pictum'

    Superb, silver-flushed foliage

    • Happiest in part shade (tolerates full shade)
    • Show off in a patio pot!
    • Shimmering grey-green fronds
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

  • Crested Wood Fern | Cristata The King Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Crested Wood Fern | 'Cristata The King'

    Regal fern, majestic presence

    • Partial shade is preferred
    • Fabulous for a shade-covered patio
    • Rich green, arching fronds with crested tips
    • Create a sense of enchantment

    Currently out of stock

  • Polystichum rigens Perennial Plants
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Rigid Shield Fern | Polystichum rigens

    Architectural, rugged beauty

    • Happiest in part shade (tolerates all light)
    • Enhances shaded beds and borders
    • Leathery fronds with overlapping leaflets
    • Tolerant of drier conditions

    Currently out of stock

  • Athyrium filix femina Pond Plants
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Lady Fern | Athyrium filix femina

    An elegant, lacy, native fern

    • Grow in dappled shade or full shade
    • Elevates woodland beds and boders
    • Feathery, soft green, arching fronds
    • Easy to grow, deciduous fern

    Currently out of stock

  • Fragile Fern | Dryopteris lepidopoda Perennial Bedding
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Fragile Fern | Dryopteris lepidopoda

    Delicate grace in every leaf

    • Grows best in partial to full shade
    • Perfect for woodland planting schemes
    • Fiery sunset hues
    • Delightful, airily-textured fronds

    Currently out of stock

  • Dryopteris filix mas Perennial Plants
    From ÂŁ8
    From ÂŁ8

    Male Fern | Dryopteris Filix Mas

    Robust, timeless greenery

    • Will grow nicely in all levels of light
    • Convert a shady spot into a lush oasis
    • Vibrant green, arching fronds
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

  • Common Polypody | Polypodium vulgare
    From ÂŁ10
    From ÂŁ10

    Common Polypody | Polypodium vulgare

    The ancient forest classic

    • An iconic native woodland staple
    • Zone 1 - Pondside
    • Plant in dappled shade or sun
    • Incredibly easy to grow (and fully hardy)

    Currently out of stock

  • Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance' Perennial Bedding
    ÂŁ8
    ÂŁ8

    Autumn Fern | Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance'

    Glorious copper fronds

    • Happy in full sun to full shade
    • Ideal for woodland gardens and shaded borders
    • Stunning copper-to-bronze foliage
    • RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Currently out of stock

Hereford

Meet Jack

Perennials born in Herefordshire, blooming in your garden

Our perennials start life in the rolling Herefordshire hills, where Jack and his team trial over 250 new varieties each year to bring you the best performing and most sustainable plants in the UK. With over forty years of excellence, it’s no surprise that they’ve won the HTA Plant Grower of the Year award two years running.

Need help picking?

Which fern?

Which fern?

The first thing to think about is whether you want a fern with pinnate, divided fronds or undivided fronds. Another thing to consider is the size of your fern; some ferns can grow to heights of almost two metres, whilst others grow low to the ground. Do you want a UK native fern? If so, may we point you towards the Common Polypody and Hart’s Tongue. If you’re looking to create more of a globally-influenced garden, then the Japanese Painted Fern and the Tassel Fern are both good choices.

Planting schemes and partners

Planting schemes and partners

Ferns are an absolute must for woodland gardens. They’re adaptable enough to work as a feature plant, as a backdrop for flowering perennials or to fill in shady gaps in borders. Most ferns will pair perfectly with low-growing plants like heucheras and hostas. If you want some flowers to add pops of colour amidst all that green, think about partnering your ferns with astilbes or hellebores. Some ferns are suitable to be planted by the side of a pond, alongside plants like irises.

Growing tips

Growing tips

Ferns are low-maintenance, non-flowering plants that provide a “frondly” face in the shadier spots of your garden. Primarily woodland plants, ferns do well in partial to full shade, with a preference for dappled light. Ferns love a moist, well-draining and nutrient-rich soil that’s brimming with organic goodness. You’ll want to water your ferns often during their first year in the ground, but beyond that, you’ll only need to water them in prolonged dry, hot spells or when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.

Happy plants make happy customers

Trustpilot
Ornamental Colour Collection Pond Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.

Monica Spence

| 24 May
Star Jasmine | Trachelospermum jasminoides Climbing Plants
five star rating on Trustpilot

Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!

Jacqueline Burgess

| 2 Jun
five star rating on Trustpilot

I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.

Judy Lane

| 23 Oct
E 'Black Hamburgh' Indoor Grape Vine Soft Fruit
five star rating on Trustpilot

The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.

Martyn Hill

| 5 Jul
E 'Braeburn Hillwell' Apple Tree Fruit Trees
five star rating on Trustpilot

As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.

John-Paul

| 22 May
five star rating on Trustpilot

Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.

Gavin Wilcock

| 8 Nov

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