Dryopteris aemula is a fern notable for its hay-scented fronds. It prefers shade to partial shade and favours moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with an acidic to neutral pH. Plant in north- or east-facing, sheltered positions where soil remains consistently moist; it is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and remains present through winter. It suits woodland garden planting and shaded borders where its scent is a discreet feature.

Hay-scented Buckler Fern (Dryopteris aemula) for shaded, sheltered sites in moist, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soils; fully hardy (H7).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris_aemula

Dryopteris, commonly called the wood ferns, male ferns, or buckler ferns, is a fern genus in the family Dryopteridaceae, subfamily Dryopteridoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). There are about 300-400 species in the genus.

Dryopteris aemula

Hay-scented buckler fern | Dryopteris aemula

Dryopteris carthusiana is a fern that reaches about 1.0 m and retains its fronds through winter. It favours partial shade to full shade on sheltered sites and tolerates a range of soils from sandy to loamy and clay, with acidic to neutral pH. It handles consistently moist to wet soils but needs reasonable drainage. Use it in woodland, shade gardens or for naturalising.

Narrow buckler fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) is a shade fern for moist, acidic to neutral soils on sheltered north, east or west aspects.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris_carthusiana

Dryopteris carthusiana

Narrow buckler fern | Dryopteris carthusiana

Dryopteris cristata is a fern native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere that favours moist, shaded sites. It grows to about 0.5 m and suits sandy, loamy or clay soils of acidic to neutral pH that remain moist but are well drained. The species is fully hardy in the UK and is noted for fronds that persist through winter.

Crested buckler fern (Dryopteris cristata) thrives in shade on moist, acidic to neutral soils and suits woodland, shade gardens and moist borders.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris_cristata

Dryopteris cristata

Crested buckler fern | Dryopteris cristata

Dryopteris dilatata is a shade-loving fern with broad, arching fronds that typically reach about 1.2 m. It forms a substantial clump and suits sheltered, north- to west-facing corners. It prefers consistently moist but well-drained soils across a wide pH range. It is fully hardy in UK gardens.

Broad Buckler Fern (Dryopteris dilatata) is a fully hardy shade fern reaching about 1.2 m that prefers moist, well‑drained soils on sheltered aspects.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris_dilatata

Dryopteris dilatata

Broad buckler fern | Dryopteris dilatata

Dryopteris goldieana is a woodland fern suited to shaded, sheltered sites and consistently moist, well‑drained soils. It is native to eastern Canada and the north‑east and central United States and belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family. The plant favours partial shade or full shade and tolerates loamy, sandy or clay soils with acidic to neutral pH. Hardy in the UK to H5, it is recommended for shade gardens, woodland borders and naturalising under trees.

Goldie's wood fern (Dryopteris goldieana) is a shade‑loving fern for moist, sheltered spots in woodland and shade gardens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris_goldieana

Dryopteris goldieana

Goldie's wood fern | Dryopteris goldieana

Dryopteris hirtipes is a fern in the family Dryopteridaceae native to South China and Papua New Guinea. It carries its fronds through spring and into summer. The species sits in the genus Dryopteris and is sometimes referred to in general as buckler or simply a fern. Its seasonal display is concentrated in the warmer months of the year.

Dryopteris hirtipes is a fern native to South China and Papua New Guinea that produces fronds through spring and into summer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryopteris_hirtipes

Dryopteris hirtipes

Dryopteris pseudomas is a fern from East Asia that performs where light is limited, favouring partial shade to full shade in sheltered spots. It prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils that are acidic to neutral. Plant it on north, east or west aspects where soil moisture can be retained. It is commonly used in shade gardens, woodland planting and as a ground cover.

Dryopteris pseudomas is an East Asian fern ideal for shaded, sheltered sites with moist, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soil.

Dryopteris pseudomas

Polystichum acrostichoides is a fern from eastern North America notable for its winter presence. It reaches about 0.6 m. It prefers full shade on moist but well‑drained sandy or loamy soils with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Fully hardy in the UK (H7; USDA zones 4–9), it suits ground cover, woodland and shade gardens.

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a shade fern from eastern North America that reaches about 0.6 m and prefers moist, well-drained soil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_acrostichoides

Polystichum is a genus of ferns in the family Dryopteridaceae, subfamily Dryopteridoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016. The genus has about 500 species and has a cosmopolitan distribution.

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas fern | Polystichum acrostichoides

Polystichum aculeatum 'Plumosum' 'Pulcherrimum' is a fern cultivar in the Dryopteridaceae that reaches around 0.8 m and is intended for shaded sites. It prefers full shade and performs best in sandy or loamy soils kept moist but well-drained. It is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and also suitable for USDA zones 4–8. Native distribution records include regions of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Polystichum aculeatum 'Plumosum' 'Pulcherrimum' is a shade fern to 0.8 m that prefers sandy to loamy soils kept moist but well-drained and is fully hardy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_aculeatum

Polystichum aculeatum 'Plumosum' 'Pulcherrimum'

Hard Shield-Fern | Polystichum aculeatum 'Plumosum' 'Pulcherrimum'

Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' is a fern that performs best in full shade and typically reaches about 0.8 m tall. It prefers moist but well-drained sandy or loamy soil. The cultivar is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and also suits USDA zones 4–8. It is native to Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' prefers full shade in moist, well-drained sandy or loamy soil and is fully hardy in UK gardens.

Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery'

Hard Shield-Fern | Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery'

Polystichum adiantiforme is a fern in the Dryopteridaceae family and a member of the Polystichum genus, a largely terrestrial group. Species in this genus are often found on rocky ground, stream banks and disturbed slopes and commonly form a crown of fronds from a stout, slowly creeping rootstock. Garden use follows those natural preferences: place where the plant can occupy rock crevices, banks or shaded areas that mimic montane or warm‑temperate habitats. Expect a vase-like ring of fronds to arise from the crown as the season progresses.

Polystichum adiantiforme is a fern of the Polystichum genus typically associated with rocky, stream-side and montane habitats.

Polystichum adiantiforme

Polystichum discretum is a fern native to New Zealand, valued for planting in shaded, sheltered sites. Fresh frond growth is evident in spring and continues through summer. It prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil and suits both full shade and partial shade exposures. Position it where wind and harsh exposure are limited so fronds can open unbroken.

Polystichum discretum is a New Zealand fern for shade or partial shade, preferring moist, well‑drained soil in sheltered spots.

Polystichum discretum

Polystichum munitum 'Inciso-serratum' is a fern cultivar that typically produces fronds to about 1.0 m. It prefers full shade and suits sandy or loamy soils that remain moist but drain freely. Hardiness ratings indicate it is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and grows within USDA zones 4–8. Allow space for the upright fronds when siting.

Polystichum munitum 'Inciso-serratum' thrives in full shade to about 1.0 m and prefers moist, well-drained sandy or loamy soil; fully hardy (H7).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_munitum

Polystichum munitum 'Inciso-serratum'

Western Swordfern | Polystichum munitum 'Inciso-serratum'

Polystichum set. 'Herrenhausen' is a cultivar of the fern genus Polystichum (family Dryopteridaceae). It follows the genus habit of producing a crown of fronds from a stout, slowly creeping rootstock. Polystichum species occur across the globe, with the greatest species richness in eastern Asia. Many members of the genus are terrestrial or grow on rock faces and are frequently recorded on stream banks, talus slopes and road cuts.

Polystichum set. 'Herrenhausen' is a Polystichum cultivar that forms a crown of fronds and suits planting on soil or rock in locations such as stream.

Polystichum set. 'Herrenhausen'

Polystichum setiferum 'Acutilobum' is a fern in the Dryopteridaceae prized for its soft, arching fronds. It suits shaded corners and forms a low, persistent clump that remains present in winter. Plant it where moisture and shelter are reliable. The cultivar is part of the wider Polystichum setiferum group, named for its bristly pinnae tips.

Soft Shield Fern Polystichum setiferum 'Acutilobum' thrives in partial shade on moist, humus-rich acidic to neutral soil and keeps fronds through winter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_setiferum

Polystichum setiferum 'Acutilobum'

Soft shield fern Acutilobum Group | Polystichum setiferum 'Acutilobum'

Polystichum setiferum 'Dahlem' is a cultivated form of the soft shield fern, notable for its soft-textured, arching fronds with softly bristled pinnule tips. Fronds typically measure 30–120 cm long and remain fresh-looking through the season, the plant being evergreen or semi-evergreen. Stipes and many midribs carry cinnamon-brown scales that are visible close to the crown.

Polystichum setiferum 'Dahlem' is a soft shield fern with 30–120 cm arching fronds and cinnamon-brown scaly stipes, suited to shaded, moist sites.

Polystichum setiferum 'Dahlem'

Soft Shield Fern | Polystichum setiferum 'Dahlem'

Polystichum setiferum 'Densum' is a fern in the Dryopteridaceae used as a shade ground cover in woodland and shaded borders. It prefers north- or east-facing, sheltered sites with consistently moist, humus-rich soil. Plant into acidic to neutral, well-drained soil and avoid exposed sunny positions. Ideal locations keep the root run shaded and damp rather than dry.

Polystichum setiferum 'Densum' (Soft Shield Fern) suits sheltered north- or east-facing shade and prefers moist, humus-rich acidic to neutral soil.

Polystichum setiferum 'Densum'

Soft Shield Fern | Polystichum setiferum 'Densum'

Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum' is a fern in the Dryopteridaceae sold under the soft shield fern Divisilobum Group name. It favours partial to full shade and suits moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils with an acidic to neutral pH. Plant in a sheltered north, east or west aspect and expect the plant to remain in place through winter. It is rated H4 for UK hardiness (average).

Soft shield fern Divisilobum Group (Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum') prefers partial to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained acidic to.