woodland fern
Male fern
Dryopteris filix-mas
Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Circumboreal, southern in America to Vermont, Michigan and irregularly through the Rockies and western mountains (including one disjunct station in southern California)
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Flowering time
- Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland fern for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 4 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Beetles Asian Lady Beetle
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (20): AZ, CA, CO, ID, ME, MI, MT, NH, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY. Canada (4): NB, NL, NS, ON. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Circumboreal, southern in America to Vermont, Michigan and irregularly through the Rockies and western mountains (including one disjunct station in southern California)The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- 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 3–9 · Canadian 1–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- Low (tolerates poor soil)How rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~3 ft (1 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).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- FernWhat kind of plant it is.
- Flower color
- Not ApplicableThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.