Beautiful evergreen fern. This fern is unique in that its fronds are whole entities (1 piece). They are rich green and leathery in texture. The fronds maintain their color throughout the winter and new fronds grow and unfurl in the spring. Hart's Tongue looks very nice and natural in woodland settings with a rock as a back drop. 

In New York, it is only found in 3 counties. Hart's tongue prefers dappled shade to full shade in loose and airy, humus-rich, moist, but very well-draining soil. It prefers alkaline conditions for best growth.  Hart's Tongue Fern is usually seen growing on cool slopes where there is ample humidity, such as near a waterfall or pool of water. Here in our Springwater garden, it is growing on a very slight slope in a well shaded garden. Over the years, the spores have splashed onto the rock wall behind the garden and it now is growing on a mossy rock behind the parent plant. 

When planting in your garden, avoid areas with intense heat or afternoon sun and avoid areas that get really dry or really wet. Good companions are actaea (cimicifuga), tiarella, and other shade-loving perennials. Use it in gardens where other plants such as dutchman's breeches, squirrel corn, trout lily, and toothwort go dormant to add interest from summer through fall. Plant it between rocks or at the base of trees and shrubs for a more natural appearance.