Dryopteris marginalis ‘autumn fern’
Description
D. marginalis – Marginal Shield Fern – Leather Wood Fern – Marginal Wood Fern – Evergreen Fern – This evergreen fern found from Quebec to Kansas and Southwestern Virginia grows 12-24″ tall and wide. From short, stiffly erect rhizomes sprouts a cluster of upright, lance shaped, pinnatifid or pinnate or bi-pinnate, leathery, grayish green fronds, 10-20″ long. The spore masses are borne along the edges of the leaflets.
Grow in moist, humus rich soil in partial shade and a sheltered site. Divide mature plants in spring or autumn. Remove fading fronds regularly.
Zones 3-8