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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Native/ Woodland Garden Sun to Shade Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
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
