Dryopteris marginalis
A deer-resistant, vase-shaped evergreen clump about 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide, thriving in part sun to light shade on rocky woodland slopes across eastern North America, with marginal sori along the frond edges.
Common Names
Marginal Wood Fern, Evergreen Wood Fern, Marginal Shield Fern, Leather Wood Fern, Marginal Fern
Summary
Marginal Wood Fern is an evergreen eastern North American fern that forms a vase-shaped, non-spreading clump about 1.5–2 feet tall and wide, with bluish-green, leathery fronds that stay green through winter; distinctive features include sori along the leaf margins and pale tawny scales on the stipe, and the plant is deer- and rabbit-resistant, typical of shaded woodland, rocky ledges, and ravines habitats. For cultivation, provide partial to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soil that remains well-drained, tolerating acidic to neutral soils; mulch helps conserve moisture and shelter from strong winds supports frond longevity. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8, it is easy to grow with low maintenance; after establishment, water regularly (about six weeks after planting, then during extended dry periods), and prune dead or damaged fronds as needed. Propagation is by division or spores. In landscapes, it serves in woodland gardens, rock gardens, borders, mass plantings, and native plantings, providing year-round structure and texture.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
12-24 inches
Spread
12-24 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial shade; tolerates full shade; some populations occur in sunny stony bluffs and ridges.
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil
Soil Drainage
Moist but well-drained soil
Soil pH
No single ideal pH is specified; tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline soils
Bloom Color
Insignificant
Bloom Time
Does not bloom in any season.
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Growth Rate
Medium
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Propagation Methods
Spores and Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (L.) A.Gray
- Publication
- Manual (Gray) 632. 1848 [10 Feb 1848]
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Polypodiophyta
- Class
- Polypodiopsida
- Subclass
- Polypodiidae
- Order
- Polypodiales
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Subfamily
- Dryopteridoideae
- Genus
- Dryopteris
Synonyms
Aspidium marginatum Filix marginalis Filix-mas marginalis Polystichum marginale Polypodium marginale Nephrodium marginale Thelypteris marginalis Thelypteris marginalis f. elegans Nephrodium marginale f. bipinnatifidum Nephrodium marginale f. davenportii Nephrodium marginale f. tripinnatifidum Aspidium marginale f. davenportii Thelypteris marginalis f. davenportii Dryopteris marginalis f. elegans Dryopteris marginalis f. traillae Nephrodium marginale var. distans Nephrodium marginale var. elegans Nephrodium marginale var. traillae Nephrodium marginale var. umbilicatum Dryopteris marginalis var. elegans Dryopteris marginalis f. churchiae Thelypteris marginalis f. churchiae Aspidium marginale Dryopteris marginalis f. tripinnatifida Filix marginalis var. bipinnatifida Lastrea marginalis var. traillae Dryopteris marginalis f. davenportii Aspidium marginale var. elegans