Wood Fern (Dryopteris lacera) is an evergreen to semi-evergreen fern native to woodland areas, prized for its elegant, arching fronds and ability to thrive in the shadiest garden corners. This leathery-leafed fern grows 24, 36 inches tall with a spread of 18, 36 inches, creating a natural, low-maintenance focal point in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and moist shade combinations. Hardy in zones 5, 8, it thrives in part shade to full shade and tolerates heavy shade, making it an excellent choice where few other plants will flourish. The fronds emerge light green and arch gracefully from an erect rhizome, with a distinctive character: fertile fronds produce smaller terminal pinnae that shed after spores disperse, creating subtle seasonal interest.
Partial Shade
Moderate
5-8
36in H x 36in W
—
High
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Wood Fern's broad, lanceolate fronds retain their light green color year-round in milder climates, providing reliable texture and movement even when shade is too dense for flowering plants. The leathery texture of the foliage resists damage better than delicate ferns, and its natural resistance to deer and rabbits means you can plant it without worry in wildlife-rich gardens. It handles heavy shade and moist soil conditions that discourage most competitors, making it invaluable for transforming problematic damp, shaded spots into lush garden features.
Wood Fern is grown primarily as an ornamental foliage plant for woodland gardens, shade borders, and moist shaded areas where it contributes texture, movement, and year-round greenery. Its evergreen to semi-evergreen habit makes it especially valuable in cooler climates for maintaining garden structure through winter months.
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In colder winter climates where fronds turn brown or become dilapidated, cut back old fronds in early spring as new growth emerges. In milder zones where fronds remain green through winter, pruning is not necessary unless you want to remove damaged or diseased growth.
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