Thelypteris palustris (Eastern Marsh Fern)

An extremely elegant fern, Thelypteris palustris (Eastern Marsh Fern) is a deciduous fern with erect to ascending, fine-textured, pinnate-pinnatifid, lanceolate, light green fronds, 6-24 in. long (15-60 cm). They feature approximately 10-40 pinnae (leaflets) that are deeply cut into smaller, oblong subleaflets. Often, the fronds and their leaflets are slightly curved and twisted. The fertile fronds tend to be a little smaller than the sterile fronds, and produce round sori near the margins of the pinnae. The spores are produced and released during the summer or fall. Eastern Marsh Fern can multiply by spreading rhizomes and form dense colonies. Native to eastern North America and across Eurasia, Eastern Marsh Fern is well-suited for massing along streams and ponds in sun or light shade.

• Grows up to 6-24 in. tall (15-60 cm) and 12-15 in. wide (30-37 cm).
• Performs best in full sun or light shade in wet to moist, sandy acid soils. It does not like too much standing water or dense shade.
• This plant is a good choice for cottage gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, along ponds and streams.
• No serious pest or disease problems. Deer resistant.
• Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
• Propagate by rhizome division or spores.
• Native to eastern North America and across Eurasia.