Dryopteris marginalis

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Dryopteris marginalis

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Kemper Code: K170

Common Name: marginal wood fern
Zone: 3 to 8
Plant Type: Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: North America
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering Bloom Data
Bloom Color: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

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Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, rich, humusy, acidic soils with protection from wind.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Marginal shield fern is an evergreen, Missouri native fern which typically forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump to 1.5-2' (infrequently to 3') tall. This is a woodland fern which is most often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds (15-20" long). Sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, hence the common name. Rhizome forms an erect crown. Evergreen fronds provide good interest to the winter landscape.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Grow in shady areas of the woodland, rock, native plant or wild garden. Mixes well with spring wildflowers, purple-leafed heucheras and hostas. Excellent as a specimen or in groups.