Ferns are gaining in popularity as more gardeners are choosing these plants for shady spots in their yards. Ferns offer ease of care, and beautiful, textured fronds of varying shapes and sizes. Now there's a new color to tempt gardeners.

‘Rita’s Gold’ fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Rita's Gold') features chartreuse-green fronds that grow 18 to 24 inches long. While the frond size is slightly smaller than other Boston ferns, the color stays true all summer. ‘Rita’s Gold’ grows best in the shade but will tolerate some sun. It makes a great accent plant when grown in the shade with other annuals, such as orange impatiens and blue torenias.

'Rita's Gold' won the University of Georgia’s Classic City Award as a plant that outshines other similar plants in the garden. Its only downside is it’s only hardy to USDA zones 9 and 10. In colder regions, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors for the winter.

For more information on ‘Rita’s Gold’, go to: Randolph’s Greenhouses.