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Fancy Fern Dryopteris intermedia

Phonetic Spelling
dry-OP-ter-iss in-ter-MEE-dee-ah
Description

The Evergreen Wood Fern is easy to grow.  As its common name refers, its fronds are evergreen to semi-evergreen in climates that experience mild winters.  In locations where it is not evergreen the old fronds should be removed during the winter months before the new spring growth begins.  It prefers moist, shady sites but will tolerate dryish conditions on a short term basis.  This fern does not spread.  Plant in an area protected from strong winds that may damage the fronds.  

It is native to moist wooded areas, ravines, swamp edges and rocky slopes of Eastern North America.  

Caution should be used to prevent the soil from drying out.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.

More information on Dryopteris.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Shaded Patio Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#shade garden#fern#winter interest#rabbit resistant#mounding#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native fern#food source summer#food source herbage#humidity tolerant#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Coastal FACU#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#shade garden#fern#winter interest#rabbit resistant#mounding#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native fern#food source summer#food source herbage#humidity tolerant#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#FACU Piedmont Mountains#Coastal FACU#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dryopteris
    Species:
    intermedia
    Family:
    Dryopteridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    Eastern United States
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenulate
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Deeply dissected blades arranged in circular cluster; blade is oval to narrowly triangular, bippinnate pinnatified to tripinnate and thin textured; minute glands on blade; first lower pinnule on basal pinna is shorter than the second; stipe has light brown scales and is one fourth to one third the frond length
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Near Septic
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil