woodland fern

Cystopteris fragilis complex

Cystopteris fragilis

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Newfoundland to Alaska, southern locally to Pennsylvania, Virginia mountains, northern Indiana, Arkansas, Texas and California

In the garden

A woodland fern for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 16 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 1–10.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (31): AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, KS, MA, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY. Canada (5): NB, NL, NS, ON, PE. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Newfoundland to Alaska, southern locally to Pennsylvania, Virginia mountains, northern Indiana, Arkansas, Texas and CaliforniaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 1–10 · Canadian 0–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist, neutral soil among limey rocksThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Height: up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~1 ft (0.2 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).