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Your first source for Ferns
Definition
A fern, or pteridophyte, is any
one of a group of some twenty thousand species of plants classified
in the Division Pteridophyta, formerly known as Filicophyta.
A fern is defined as a vascular plant that does not produce
seeds, but reproduces by spores to initiate an alternation
of generations. New sporophyte fronds typically arise by circinate
vernation (that is, "leaf" formation by unrolling).
Naturally occurring in woodland
and dappled shade, ferns offer the perfect solution to damp,
shady corners of the garden. And because many ferns are evergreen,
they offer an all-year round display. For those with larger
gardens, they mix well with other woodland plants.
Varieties
Tree ferns:
There are about twenty different
species of Dicksonia tree ferns but only a few are hardy enough
to try in the UK.
Dicksonia antarctica is
the most popular tree fern, being hardy to about -5°C
(23°F) making it the most suitable for the UK’s climate.
D. fibrosa, another hardy tree fern, originating from New
Zealand. Slightly smaller than
D. antarticia, making it a better
choice for the smaller garden.
D.squarrosa is more elegant but not as hardy as the above
two and the trunk is prone to drying out. More suitable for
a shady greenhouse in the UK.
Other hardy ferns to try:
Asplenium scolopendrium, Hart's
tongue fern is one of the most popular evergreen ferns,
offering all year-round interest when grown amongst shrubs
or other shade and moisture loving perennials.
Athyrium filix-femina, Lady fern is an attractive,
deciduous fern, suitable for cool, shady corners with delicate,
lace-like foliage.
Blechnum spicant, Hard fern an evergreen variety with
tough, leathery leaves that can tolerate some dry soil, but
generally it prefers damp shade.
Dryopteris filix-mas, Male fern prefers a cool, shady
site but will cope with sunnier and drier conditions than
many others.
Dryopteris filix-mas, 'Linearis', Male fern is a deciduous
fern that grows to about 1m (3ft) high with large clumps of
narrow, green leaves.
Dryopteris wallichiana, Wallich's wood fern is native
to the Himalayas and has attractive, shuttlecock-like leaves,
a deciduous fern that grows to about a 1m (3ft) high with
large clumps of narrow, green leaves.
Matteuccia struthiopteris, Ostrich fern is sometimes
called the shuttlecock fern because of its shape. It is suitable
for borders in dappled shade.
Osmunda regalis, Flowering fern is one of the larger ferns
with foliage that turns an impressive golden colour in autumn.
It requires dappled shade and neutral to acidic conditions.
Polystichum aculeatum, Hard shield fern is an evergreen
fern with tapering, ladder like leaves and is suitable for
borders in light shade.
Polystichum setiferum Plumosodivisilobum Group, Soft shield
fern, is drought tolerant but is unsuitable for a sunny
situation.
(souce: BBC)
Please browse through the list
of UK plant suppliers offering Ferns below.
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Ferns
UK 
