Ferns in mid-November

There are no flowers still blooming in my November garden other than Helleborus niger. At the same time, there are a number of ferns that still look very good despite a number of nights dropping into the high 20°F temperatures. A few are completely brown, some are green and have fallen over, but the ferns below look almost as good as they did in September.

Polystichum ringens aka rigid fern was planted in 2022 and has made it through its first winter and a hot, droughty summer and still looks lovely. It is growing slowly but is a little more than one foot wide. 

Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum' is also a year old, but is only about 7 inches wide, despite how big it looks in this picture. 

Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) is evergreen until it's buried by snow. 

Like the Christmas fern, my Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is still standing proud.

Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's tongue fern, left) and Asplenium scollopendrium angustifolium (Ruffled Hart's Tongue Fern) are both still upright though their bright green summer color is fading. 

Parsley fern (Dryopteris felix mas 'Parsley') is as beautiful as it's been all season. 

I always find the name "Autumn fern" (Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance') rather confusing as the autumn coloration appears on the new fronds in spring. It's solid green in autumn.  

Dryopteris wallichiana 'Jurassic Gold' supposedly emerges golden orange in the spring; but I don't really remember seeing that. But I am loving the color it is showing now.

Polystichum retroso-paleaceum (Narrow Tassel fern) is one of my favorites and is holding its own nicely.

With 4 Polystichum and 3 Dryopteris ferns in this group, it's clear which fern families can take cold weather in their stride.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Lucky you, to be able to grow all those ferns. They would be toast out here. As much as I was admiring the ferns, I also admired their settings. The way the tassel fern reigns over the grasses falling down the slope from the back fence, the way they are nestled in fallen leaves that are left in place instead of blown away, the rocks that are scattered about, and the trees. Such a nice woodland feel to your garden. Thank you for sharing it.

[Chavli]

No Japanese garden is complete without a collection of ferns, any shade garden really, the more the better. (Though I can't remember their botanical names to save my life :-D)
Your Polystichum setiferum reminds me of my Polystichum tsussimense (Korean rock fern) with its perfectly detailed sturdy fronds.
Your post prompts me to list my many ferns and their location in the garden.
The last photo is sublime.

[Frank]

My my what a fern collection you've amassed! I love the polysticums, I did not know the family included Christmas fern, so I think I need to re-evaluate my opinion on that one. Perhaps it being common in the woods has made me take it for granted? I'd have to see which other one I have. The wooly fiddleheads are the part I love the most about it.

[Tracy]

What a fabulous collection! I love your last picture, btw.

[danger garden]

I think I'll be adding a Polystichum rigens to my garden come spring! Thanks for the fern focus.