Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern)

Easy to cultivate and well-behaved, Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern) is a vase-shaped, evergreen fern forming a rosette of ascending to arching, lanceolate-ovate, bipinnate-pinnatifid fronds. Leathery and blue-green, the fronds feature 12-20 pairs of leaflets along their rachis. Broad, up to 10 in. wide (25 cm), the fronds are usually 15-20 in. long (37-50 cm), however, they can reach 3 ft. (90 cm). The sori (fruit dots) are prominent at the edges or margins of the blade undersides. In spring, golden brown and furry fiddleheads arise in vase-like circles from the rootstock. The rhizome tends to form a large, dramatic, single-crowned specimen. Marginal Wood Fern does not spread by runners and never becomes aggressive. Native to eastern North America, Marginal Wood Fern occurs naturally in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. This is the most drought-tolerant of the Wood Ferns. The elegantly shaped evergreen fronds provide good interest to the winter landscape.

• Grows up to 1-2 ft. tall and wide (30-60 cm).
• A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in humus-rich, acidic, mesic, well-drained soils. This fern prefers a location with high humidity that is protected from prevailing winds.
• This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens, and woodland gardens.
• No serious pest or disease problems.
• Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
• Propagate by root crown division and from spores.
• Native to eastern North America.