Dryopteris marginalis

Sizes available: Landscape plug

Basics: zone 4-9, 15-24" x 30", part to full shade, moderately acid to neutral damp woodland soils, but drought resistant once established

Common names: Marginal Wood Fern, Eastern Leather Wood Fern, Marginal Shield Fern, Eastern Wood Fern

Family: Dryopteridaceae (Polypodiaceae)

Origin/Distribution: widely distributed in eastern North America, native to Maine

Habitat: stream edges, roadside ditches, rocky woodland slopes, in particular north-facing, old walls, talus slopes, woodland edge

More: Songbirds use all parts in nest production. Ferns offer moist and shady habitat for numerous small mammals, ground-nesting birds, beetles, salamanders, toads, etc. D. marginalis is good in a shady matrix of low-growing perennials and it will spread slowly to form a ground cover. Deer might browse this species. It wants protection from wind.