Great for swampy or wet areas of the garden, Dryopteris ludoviciana (Southern Wood Fern) is a semi-evergreen fern with a short erect or creeping rhizome and masses of lance-shaped, shiny, dark green fronds tapering to the base with triangular lower pinnae (divisions of the leaf). Tough as nails, this is a wonderful Dryopteris species for the muddy margins of ponds and bogs. Long-lived, it also does well in the dense shade where few other plants will grow. An excellent ground cover for Southeastern shade gardens with hot summers, high humidity, and heavy, saturated soils. Evergreen in frost-free areas.

• Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in rich, acidic, medium to wet soils.
• Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
• Native to the southern United States from Florida west to Texas and as far north as Kentucky and North Carolina.