Marginal Wood Fern
Dryopteris Marginalis
Overview
The Marginal Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis) is a shade-loving, evergreen fern native to North American woodlands. It typically reaches 18 to 24 inches in height and spans 24 to 30 inches wide. The leathery, blue-green fronds create lush, vase-like clumps ideal for bordering shaded areas. Hardy in zones 3-8, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil. A low-maintenance choice, it adds texture and year-round interest to any shaded landscape setting.
Sun ShadeWater Extra in Summer, HighZones 3–8Type FernClimate Temperate

Culture
- Sun
- Shade
- Water
- Extra in Summer, High
- USDA zones
- 3–8
Shape & size
- Mature height
- 12–18 Inches
- Mature width
- 12–18 Inches
Classification
- Type
- Fern
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Climate
- Temperate
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Photographs by 7 contributors
- homeredwardprice, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Wasp32, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Homer Edward Price, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Alex Abair, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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