Leatherwood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
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Evergreen Perennial Upright mound in the Dryopteridaceae Family | |||||||||||
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Available May 9
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Dryopteris marginalis has leathery leaves or fronds of deep blue-green. |
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Dryopteris marginalis, commonly known as the marginal wood fern or evergreen wood fern, is a striking, native North American perennial that thrives in shaded, woodland settings. This hardy fern forms a dense, upright clump of leathery, olive-green fronds that can reach 18-24 inches in height. The bipinnately divided, lance-shaped fronds are characterized by their distinctive, reddish-brown sori (spore-bearing structures) that line the margins, giving the plant its common name. Dryopteris marginalis is an evergreen species, retaining its handsome foliage throughout the winter months and providing year-round interest in the landscape. In spring, the new fronds emerge with a captivating, coppery-red hue, gradually maturing to a deep, glossy green as the season progresses. Adaptable to a range of well-drained, humus-rich soil types, this native fern flourishes in partial to full shade. It is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalized areas, where it can form dense colonies and provide a lush, textural groundcover. In addition to its ornamental qualities, Dryopteris marginalis is deer-resistant and serves as a valuable host plant for the caterpillars of several moth species, contributing to the biodiversity of the ecosystem. With its evergreen habit, vibrant seasonal color changes, and adaptability to shade, the marginal wood fern is a versatile and captivating perennial that deserves a place in many woodland-inspired gardens. |
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Plant Data | |||||||||||
Mature Size | 18 - 24 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide. | ||||||||||
Sun Exposure | Partial Sun - Full Shade | ||||||||||
Moisture Tolerance | Medium | ||||||||||
Zones | 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F) | ||||||||||
Tags | Deer Resistant, Evergreen, Full Shade, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Medium, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant | ||||||||||
Bloom Period | Non-flowering | ||||||||||
Flower Color | Non-Flowering | ||||||||||
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Related Articles |
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We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
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Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!