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Dryopteris carthusiana (Spinulose Wood Fern)

Shield Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern, Spinulose Woodfern, Toothed Wood Fern, Narrow Buckler Fern, Dryopteris austriaca var. spinulosa, Dryopteris spinulosa

Dryopteris carthusiana, Shield Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern, Spinulose Woodfern, Toothed Wood Fern, Narrow Buckler Fern
Dryopteris carthusiana, Shield Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern, Spinulose Woodfern, Toothed Wood Fern, Narrow Buckler Fern
Dryopteris carthusiana, Shield Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern, Spinulose Woodfern, Toothed Wood Fern, Narrow Buckler Fern

Dryopteris carthusiana (Spinulose Wood Fern) is a semi-evergreen fern forming a vase-like tuft of narrow, lacy, finely toothed, and dissected, bright lime-green fronds. The leaves are more intricate and lacy than those of many other ferns because of their complex structure and strongly toothed margins. Small, round sori develop on the undersides of the leaves during the summer. Their spores are distributed by the wind during late summer or fall. Well-behaved and non-invasive, Spinulose Wood Fern is an elegant species that is well suited to massing in a woodland garden where its fine-textured, lacy leaves can be admired. Evergreen in mild winter climates.

  • Grows up to 24-36 in. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in humus-rich, moist, acidic soils, and well-drained soils.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady woodland gardens, rock gardens, and cottage gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Rabbit resistant.
  • Propagation by division or spores.
  • Native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 6 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Common names Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Montana
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dryopteris wallichiana Jurassic Gold (Alpine Wood Fern)
Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern)
Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York Fern)
Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern)
Dryopteris cristata (Crested Wood Fern)
Dryopteris intermedia (Intermediate Wood Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Podophyllum peltatum (May Apple)
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)
Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)
Trillium
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 6 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Common names Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Montana
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Dryopteris to pick?
Compare Now

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