There is a shady dry corner of our garden that is perfect for many varieties of ferns - which is just as well, since nothing else thrives there. Most of the ferns die back in winter, the dead foliage collapsing over the roots, providing protection against frost. This is a particularly vigorous fern that provides a splash of bright green in winter, and throughout the summer makes a bid to invade the entire patch, requiring periodic culling of baby plant sprouting from runners sent out by the mature specimens.
Ian