• Ferns belong to an ancient family of plants. According to the American Fern Society, ferns first came out of the ocean and onto land more than 400 million years ago. All ferns have leaves, stems and roots. They reproduce by spores, as opposed to seeds. Ferns provide an attractive ground cover for many areas, including gardens. Unlike many types of flora in a garden, they require little care as long as they receive an adequate supply of water.
  
  

Athyrium 'Ghost'

• The Athyrium "Ghost" is an upright fern that produces a showy and silvery foliage in the spring before turning a grayish-green in hot temperatures. This deciduous plant spreads itself with shallow rhizomes, making it a good choice for ground cover. Deer will not touch Athrium "Ghost," which is hardy and comes back year after year. It is a good choice for gardens that don't receive a lot of sun, as it prefers shaded areas. It also prefers well-drained soil with medium moisture. It spreads from 1 1/2 to 2 feet, grows in clumps and does not require a lot of maintenance. It is used in both the beds and along the borders of gardens.
  
  

Ostrich Fern

• The ostrich fern, more formally known as Matteuccia struthiopteris, is an ornamental plant often found in gardens. It is a large and vase-shaped fern in which rhizomes occasionally develop from its rootstock to form clones. Because it also spreads through spores, this makes it a good choice for ground cover in a garden where there is room to expand and intermingle with other plants that also prefer shade. If it has room to expand, it requires no maintenance. It thrives best in rich soil that retains moisture. It can also withstand cold weather.
  
  

Maidenhair Fern

• The maidenhair fern is primarily a tropical plant that prefers warm areas and mild winters. It has fronds that can grow to over 2 feet long and have delicate leaves. It does best in moist soil, making it a good choice for around ponds and other areas that receive ample water. It also will thrive in a garden along edges and borders. The maidenhair fern spreads slowly and is noninvasive. It requires full to partial shade. It requires little care if it receives proper shade and is planted in well-drained soil. It is used to create herbal medicines for ailments such as sore throats, colds and asthma; its leaves are also used to make herbal tea.