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Dryopteris ludoviciana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
dry-OP-ter-iss loo-doh-vik-ee-AH-nuh
Description

Southern Wood-fern is a native fern from NC south to Florida and west to TX. It is found in the coastal areas of NC in swampy forested areas. It is evergreen in mild climates. The shiny upright leathery green fronds are very striking in the garden. This fern is a slow to moderate grower and will form vase-shaped clumps that slowly expand by short rhizomes. 

Even though it is found in wet areas, Southern Wood-fern will adapt to average garden conditions in moist fertile soils in partial sun to full shade. Use this plant in a shade garden as a ground cover, woodland settings and along streams, bogs and ponds.

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

More information on Dryopteris.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Native/ Woodland Garden Sun to Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade garden#fern#NC native#deer resistant#native fern#food source summer#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade garden#fern#NC native#deer resistant#native fern#food source summer#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dryopteris
    Species:
    ludoviciana
    Family:
    Dryopteridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, Deer
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Native Plant
  • 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)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Triangular shiny leathery dark green fronds
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade