Deer Proof Ferns

Japanese Painted Fern

Japanese Painted Fern

Ferns are a good choice for a deer proof garden. I grow about 15 varieties of hardy outdoor ferns and the deer seldom touch them. My favorite fern is the Japanese Painted Fern (pictured here) which has beautiful silver and burgandy coloring.

Ferns thrive in moist shady conditions. They will also grow in dry shade but will not be as lush.

Here is a list of ferns that are reliably deer proof in the landscape.

Common Name Latin Name
Christmas Fern Polystichum arcostichoides
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Hayscented Fern Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Holly Fern Cyrtomium falcatum
Japanese Painted Fern Athyrium goeringianum (nipponicum)
New York Fern Thelyptens noveboracensis
Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris
Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis
Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis

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