type :
Vines / Ground Covers, Ferns
sun exposure :
Partial Shade, Full Shade
water :
Regular Water
Plant Details
The more than 100 species in this genus are found in many parts of the world, though only a few are generally offered by garden centers. Use them in shade or woodland gardens, where their fronds contrast nicely with the bolder foliage of other perennials, especially such large-leafed plants as hosta and hydrangea. They prefer rich soil with adequate organic material and moisturebut as a rule they are rather forgiving, making them good choices for beginning gardeners. Some species tolerate drought and less-than-ideal soil. They are seldom bothered by deer or other pests.
scaly male fern
SPINULOSE WOOD FERN, TOOTHED WOOD FERN, SHIELD FERN
dryopteris afnis
- Semievergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
- Native to Europe and southwestern Asia.
- To 35 feet high and wide.
- Finely cut fronds are chartreuse green with light brown scales when they unfold, dark green later.
- Cristata ('Cristata The King') is more compact, with 3 feet, arching fronds with crested tips.
- Crispa Gracilis is an evergreen dwarf form to only 612 inches high and wide.
log fern
dryopteris carthusiana(Dryopteris spinulosa)
- Evergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
- A native of Europe, Asia, and North America.
- Clumps reach 1 feet across.
- Coarsely cut yellowish green fronds to 618 inches tall, half as wide, have shaggy black scales on frond stem and lower part of midrib.
- Tolerates bog conditions.
dryopteris celsa
- Semievergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
- Native to moist woods and bogs in eastern U.S.; often found growing on rotting logs in the wild, hence the common name.
- Upright habit to 34 feet high, 12 feet wide.
- Deeply cut, glossy, deep green fronds with darker stems and midribs.
broad buckler fern
dryopteris complexa 'Robust
- Semievergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
- Sometimes sold as Dryopteris filix-mas 'Undulata Robusta', this hybrid has 3- to 4 feet-long, dark green fronds that are deeply divided, with undulating edges.
- Vigorous and easy to grow.
dryopteris dilatata
- Evergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
- Native to many areas in Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
- Grows to 12 feet tall, possibly much taller; spreads a little wider than it is high.
- Finely cut, dark green, widely spreading fronds.
- Jimmy Dyce has blue-green, upright fronds.
autumn fern
dryopteris erythrosora
- Evergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
- Native to China and Japan.
- Erect growth in tuft to 2 feet tall, 1 feet wide.
- One of the few ferns with seasonal color variation.
- Expanding fronds in spring are an attractive blend of copper, pink, and yellow; they turn green in summer, then rusty brown in autumn.
- Bright red spore cases are produced on leaf undersides in fall; they become a handsome winter feature.
- Takes some drought.
- Brilliance has especially bright coppery red new growth.
male fern
dryopteris lix-mas
- Evergreen, sometimes becoming deciduous.
- Zones US, MS, LS, CS; USDA 6-9.
- Native to much of Northern Hemisphere.
- Grows 25 feet tall and wide, with nely cut medium green fronds to 1 feet wide.
- Linearis Polydactyla has very narrow leaf divisions with spreading, ngerlike tips.
goldie's wood fern, giant wood fern
dryopteris goldiana
- Evergreen in milder climates, deciduous in colder-winter areas.
- Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
- Native to North America.
- Robust grower to 4 feet tall, half as wide, with arching, light green fronds to 1 feet wide.
marginal shield fern, leather wood fern
dryopteris marginalis
- Evergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
- From eastern North America.
- Grows 24 feet tall and wide.
- Finely cut, dark blue-green fronds.
- Takes some drought.
wallich's wood fern
dryopteris wallichiana
- Evergreen.
- Zones US, MS, LS; USDA 6-8.
- Native to India, China.
- Stately fern 35 feet high, not quite as wide.
- Fronds have scaly brown stems, turn from bright golden green to dark green with maturity.