The leathery leaves of Dryopteris marginalis are a beautiful addition to the woodland garden and can form a lovely an easy to maintain groundcover. A sturdy east coast native, it forms a tidy clump that will not spread and is very tolerant of dry shade conditions once it has established. Marginal wood fern is often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs from Newfoundland to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.
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Dryopteris marginalis LP32 - 32 per flat | Availability |
Height12-18 Inches |
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Spread12-18 Inches |
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Spacing12 Inches |
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USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8 |
Dryopteris marginalis, the marginal wood fern, is easily identified because the spores are carried along the very outermost edges of the fronds. A common evergreen easterner this native species thrives in rocky to woodland settings. In the garden it requires good drainage and will reward you with a leathery, forest green bouquet of rather ovate 18 to 30 inch fronds. For unexplained reasons, it is better adapted to locales east of the Rockies and there it comes highly recommended. Remarkably cold tolerant the marginal wood fern is suited for a broad range of Zones from a low of Zone 2 up to Zone 8. - Casa Flora
Dryopteris is translated from Greek as "oak fern".
Wood ferns prefer average to moist, rich, well-drained soils in shade or part sun. They tolerate drought very well once established. Needs protection from wind to keep the foliage looking nice. Best planted in masses in the shaded or woodland garden, as an accent or mixed with bulbs and other native perennials.
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