Dixie Wood Fern
Dryopteris X Australis
Overview
The Dixie Wood Fern (Dryopteris x australis) is a robust, semi-evergreen fern, thriving in USDA zones 5-9. It boasts arching fronds reaching 4-5 feet in height and 2-3 feet in spread, creating an elegant fountain-like form. This fern prefers partial to full shade and requires moist, well-drained soil. It's excellent for naturalized areas, shade gardens, or as a woodland understory plant, providing year-round visual interest and textured greenery.
Sun ShadeWater Extra in Summer, High, MediumZones 5–9Type FernClimate Temperate
Culture
- Sun
- Shade
- Water
- Extra in Summer, High, Medium
- USDA zones
- 5–9
Shape & size
- Mature height
- 2–3 Ft.
- Mature width
- 2–3 Ft.
Classification
- Type
- Fern
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Climate
- Temperate
See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.
Start your 14-day trialPhotos (11)











Photographs by 2 contributors
- David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Choess, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Related plants

Fern
Alaska Fern
Polystichum Setiferum
Deep ShadeUSDA 6–8

Fern
Alpine Water Fern
Blechnum Penna-Marina
Deep ShadeUSDA 7–10

Fern
Autumn Fern, Japanese Shield Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
ShadeUSDA 4–10

Fern
Bird's Nest Fern
Asplenium Nidus
HalfUSDA 10–11

Fern
Blue Star Fern
Phlebodium Aureum
HalfUSDA 5–9

Fern
Brilliance Autumn Fern
Dryopteris Erythrosora 'Brilliance'
HalfUSDA 5–9