Marginal Wood Fern

Marginal Wood Fern is a tough, long-lived native fern that lends quiet beauty and structure to shady spaces. Its name refers to the placement of its sori—spore clusters—along the edges of its leathery fronds. Growing in a tidy vase-like clump, this fern typically reaches 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall, with rich green to bluish-green fronds that remain evergreen in mild climates. It’s native to woodlands from the Great Lakes to the Appalachians and thrives in rich, well-drained soils.

Highly versatile and low-maintenance, Marginal Wood Fern is drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and adaptable to both acidic and neutral soils. It’s an excellent choice for shade gardens, rain gardens, or naturalistic woodland plantings, where its slow, non-spreading habit plays well with other natives.

Why Choose Marginal Wood Fern?

• Evergreen fronds for year-round interest.
• Great for shade, rain gardens, or woodland borders.
• Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
• Excellent structure and texture for shady areas.
• Native from the Great Lakes to the Appalachians.
  

Cut back old fronds in late winter to make room for new growth. Plant in well-drained, organically rich soil and water during extended dry periods.

• Watering: Water during dry periods in the first year; afterward, it’s fairly drought-tolerant.
• Sunlight: Prefers full to partial shade; avoid direct afternoon sun.
• Soil: Performs best in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
• Cleanup: Remove old or damaged fronds in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
• Spacing: Plant with adequate space to allow for slow, steady clump expansion.
• Pests/Disease: Rarely troubled by pests or disease; extremely deer- and rabbit-resistant.