Spinulose Wood Fern
Dryopteris carthusiana
Also listed as Polypodium carthusianum
Also known as Narrow Buckler-fern, Spinulose Shield Fern, Narrow Spinulose Shield Fern
Climate Match for your location
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A delicate deciduous fern with finely divided, lacy fronds that unfurl in spring and turn golden-brown in fall. It thrives in shaded, moist woodland settings and is excellent for naturalizing in native plant gardens.
Why grow it
Spinulose wood fern occupies a middle ground among shade-tolerant ferns, offering finer foliage texture than Christmas fern while remaining more cold-hardy and persistent than some tropical cousins. Its deciduous habit makes it useful in layered woodland gardens where spring ephemerals need light before the canopy closes. Extension guides recommend it for naturalized plantings in acidic to neutral soils where consistent moisture is available without standing water.
Watch out for
This fern prefers undisturbed sites once established and may decline if planted in compacted soil or locations with heavy foot traffic. In very dry years, supplemental watering during establishment helps, though mature plants typically perform well without irrigation in appropriate shade and moisture zones. Rabbits occasionally browse new fronds in spring, particularly in areas with high herbivore pressure.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Europe
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A delicate deciduous fern with finely divided, lacy fronds that unfurl in spring and turn golden-brown in fall. It thrives in shaded, moist woodland settings and is excellent for naturalizing in native plant gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Spinulose Wood Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Spinulose wood fern occupies a middle ground among shade-tolerant ferns, offering finer foliage texture than Christmas fern while remaining more cold-hardy and persistent than some tropical cousins. Its deciduous habit makes it useful in layered woodland gardens where spring ephemerals need light before the canopy closes. Extension guides recommend it for naturalized plantings in acidic to neutral soils where consistent moisture is available without standing water.
Watch out for
This fern prefers undisturbed sites once established and may decline if planted in compacted soil or locations with heavy foot traffic. In very dry years, supplemental watering during establishment helps, though mature plants typically perform well without irrigation in appropriate shade and moisture zones. Rabbits occasionally browse new fronds in spring, particularly in areas with high herbivore pressure.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Europe
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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