Dryopteris carthusiana

Spinulose Wood Fern


Native, deciduous fern with

narrow, finely-divided, lacy fronds

with strongly toothed margins.

Appears early in the spring & forms a

vase-like cluster. Pest and disease free.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 3-7


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

2 to 3' tall

2 to 4' wide


SOIL TYPE

Acidic, humus-rich, moist,

well drained

Dryopteris crassirhizoma   

Thick Stemmed Wood Fern


Tall, vase-shaped fern with thick,

semi-evergreen fronds surrounding

a solitary crown. Do not overwater.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 5-8


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

3' tall

3' wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, moist &

well drained



Dryopteris dilata 'Recurvata'

Curved Broad Buckler Fern


Attractive, deciduous fern with broad, triangular, deeply divided fronds

on long scaly stalks. It prefers

moist woodlands or a shady spot

next to a pond. It has shield-shaped

coverings on the sori.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 4-8


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

1-2' tall

2' wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, moist &

well drained



Dryopteris filix-mas   

Male Fern


This clump -forming, upright fern has

lance-shaped fronds attached to stalks

covered with orangey-brown scales.

When grown in the shade, it is drought tolerant.

The crown produces multiple plants, so

divide in the spring to maintain symmetry

and increase quantities. Large, undivided clumps make a grand specimen in the woodland garden.  


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 4-8


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

2 to 5' tall

2 to 5’ wide


SOIL TYPE

Acidic, rich, moist &

well drained

Dryopteris filix-mas

'Linearis polydactyla'   

Slender Crested Male Fern


Unusual long, arching fronds with

a delicate, skeletal appearance.

Clumping habit. Deciduous.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 4-9


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

3 to 4' tall

2 to 3' wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, moist &

well drained

Dryopteris 'Goldiana'

Goldies Fern


This is the largest of the native

wood ferns reaching 4 to 5'

in cool shade. It is stately

and a slow spreader,

forming huge clusters

of graceful arching

bright green fronds.

Its straw-colored leaf stalks

are thick and scaly.

Goldiana requires consistent moisture

and makes a bold statement

in the woodland garden!


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 3-8


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

4 to 5' tall

2 to 3' wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, moist &

well drained

Dryopteris tokyoensis

Tokyo Wood Fern


An easy to grow, deciduous fern

with upright, narrow fronds

that provide a vertical accent

in the woodland border.

Vase-shaped clumps are very showy

and can be divided in spring or fall.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 5-8


EXPOSURE

Light Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

1-3' tall

1-3'' wide


SOIL TYPE

Moist & well drained

Dryopteris intermedia

Intermediate Wood Fern


A large, lacey woodland fern with

ovate, thrice-cut fronds and

green stipes with tan scales.

It is native to the eastern US.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 3-8


EXPOSURE

Light Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

1-3' tall

1-3'' wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, moist, alkaline & well drained

Dryopteris marginalis

Leather Wood Fern


Native, evergreen, vase-shaped fern

with grey-green, leathery fronds.

Easy to grow & tolerant of dry conditions.

It forms a tidy clump and loves to grow

in shady crevices of rock ledges.



HARDY TO

USDA Zones 3-8


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

2’ tall

2’ wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, acidic, moist & well drained

Dryopteris undulata 'Robusta'   

Robust Male Fern


Semi-evergreen, deeply divided,

dark green fronds create a sturdy,

upright habit. Its graceful, arching fronds

make it great for naturalizing. 

It can also be used for erosion control

on steep banks and hills.

Add compost yearly.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 4-8


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

2 to 3 feet tall

3 to 4 feet wide


SOIL TYPE

Moist, humus-rich,

acidic soil

Dryopteris x remota   

Scaly Buckler Fern


Lacy, bright green triangular,

arching fronds form an upright clump.

Good selection for mass planting,

rock gardens or containers.


HARDY TO

USDA Zones 4-9


EXPOSURE

Part Shade to Full Shade


HEIGHT/SPREAD

2 to 3' tall

2 to 3' wide


SOIL TYPE

Rich, moist &

well drained