Marginal Shield Fern Dryopteris marginalis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss mar-jin-AHL-iss
- Description
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Marginal shield fern is a North Carolina native, evergreen, perennial fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). Its origin is Canada and the U.S.A. The epithet is Latin for “marginal” and references the location of the sori on the underside of the pinnae.
This fern prefers moist, well-drained, humus, rich soil in partial to full shade with protection from the wind. It has a broad, erect crown densely covered with light brown scales. It produces a large, single crown and does not spread. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade.
The fern typically forms a vase-shaped clump up to 3 feet tall (but usually smaller). This is a woodland fern most often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds (15 to 20 inches long). Sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, hence the common name, marginal. Its evergreen fronds provide good interest to the winter landscape.
The marginal shield fern can be grown in native, shade, and winter gardens. It can be used as an accent, for a border or in mass plantings.
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- marginalis
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Greenland, Canada to U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- It provides year-round cover near the ground. Deer will browse the plant. Its parts are used in songbird nest construction.
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The fronds are bluish green to dull olive green arching in a vase shape. They rapidly taper to a point. The blade is lance-shaped, bipinnate to bipinnate-pinnatified and leathery. The pinna are lance-shaped and rapidly taper to a point. The pinnules are heavy veined and have a blunt tip. The sori are located very near the margin of the pinnules. The stipe is one fourth to one third the frond length. The stipe is swollen at base and covered with golden brown scales. Provides winter interest.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Wet Soil
