Wood Fern -Dryopteris
Great for naturalizing, give plenty of shade, moisture and humidity. It prefers humus soil.
| Wood Fern | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Does Not Bloom |
| Light | Partial Shade To Full Shade |
| Water | Average to Rich -Moist |
| Diseases | Leaf Gall, Rust, and Fungal Spots |
| Pests | Relatively Pest Free |
| Propagation | Divisions, Spores |
| Color | None |
| Zones | 3 - 8 |
| Features | Attractive Foliage, Winter Interest, Easy to Grow |
Wood Fern - Dryopteris atrata - Shaggy Shield Fern: Light green fronds on stems covered in tiny black scales. Stiff leathery fronds have a beautiful arching habit. Also useful mixed containers combining well with other shade-lovers.
Evergreen in mild winter regions and but the old fronds can be trimmed in spring. AKA: Black Wood Fern & Syn. with D. cycadina
Dryopteris come in many different varities and vary in plant size from small ferns 12" tall to about 48" tall.
They have bright green foliage and the fronds turn a beautiful shade of bronze after the first frost, as they die back in the winter.
Like most ferns the Dryopteris prefers shade, either light dappled shade or dense from a tree canopy above. If you plant them in an area that receives some sun, be sure it is no more than 3 - 4 hours total or this fer will die out.
Plants bear scaly rhizomes that either creep to form small clumps or are erect and form crowns.
Wood ferns grow best when there is a lot of moisture in the ground and humid air. Avoid dry areas.
Divide clumps in spring or fall for propagation.
Division entails propagating a plant by splitting it into 2 or more parts.
Each part has its own root system and more than one shoot or dormant bud.
Tokyo Wood Fern - Dryopteris tokyoensis: This fern stands out in a bed of foliages due to its stiffly erect form with narrow fronds. It grows vigorously and makes an attractive focal point in the garden or mixed seasonal color container. Zone 5-8
Lady's Mantle:
Low mounds of lady's mantle is a perfect partner in front of taller wood fern
Japanese Painted Fern:
Create an intriguing mix of colors by mixing Japanese painted fern with wood fern
Sweet Potota Vine:
Give wood fern a colorful skirt by planting annual Marguerite sweet potato vine around its base.
Hosta:
Hosta's bold-textured foliage plays off well against fine-textured ostrich fern fronds in beds and borders.
Dixie Wood Fern: This is one of the great spectacular ferns with tall erect growth and dark green fronds. A real winner! Semi-erect, clumping. It is also included in the prestigious selected ferns in the Mickel Collection. Native to the U.S.A.
The Wood Fern is mainly a woodland type plant and should be planted only where there is plenty of shade. While if will tolerate 3 to 4 hours of sun a day, it certainly is not recommended.
This fern would feel right at home, naturalized along a garden path, beneath an understory of oaks, where it would be partial to full shade, acidic soil and rich humus soil with a lot of moisture.
Also if you have a shady area around a pond or creek bed, this would be an ideal spot for this fern.
Japanese Wood Fern - Dryopteris pycnopteroides: This evergreen Asian fern has fronds that are shiny and erect and can reach 24" in height. They are dark green, curving, but erect adding beautiful texture to any shady garden.
Spacing: Space 18" to 24" apart when planting.
Fertilizer: Fertilization is not generally required for good plant output..
Water/Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter or even moist to wet soil.
Make sure to enrich soil with leaf mold or compost. During the growing season, water freely; sparingly in winter.
Make sure to enrich soil with leaf mold or compost. During the growing season, water freely; sparingly in winter.
Pruning: Clean debris form the area on a regular basis to avoid desease.
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