Wood fern, also known as shield fern and buckler fern, is a tough, adaptable, medium-sized woodland fern with a bold texture. Unlike other ferns, which can be finicky, wood ferns are sturdy, strong, and easy to grow, and they require little maintenance. With more than 200 species, the Dryopteris genus is the largest fern genus. Wood ferns are found all across the northern hemisphere, in forests, fields, and shady wetlands in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Wood Fern Overview
Where to Plant Wood Fern
Plant wood fern in a shady or partially shaded location with humus-rich, moist but well-drained, acidic soil. Young plants don’t tolerate strong, harsh winds very well so pick a spot that is somewhat sheltered. The height, spread, and growth rate of the different wood ferns varies. Make sure that your selection fits well in the available space.
These ferns can fulfill different roles in the landscape. They can be filler plants or the star of the show, and they work equally well as a specimen or mass planting. The evergreen varieties especially should be planted in a location with high visibility so you can enjoy them when the surrounding vegetation is dormant during the winter.
How and When to Plant Wood Fern
The best time to plant wood fern is in the spring or fall when the soil is naturally moist. If the soil isn’t rich and fertile to begin with, amend it with organic matter, including leaf mold, before planting. Dig a hole that is a bit wider and as deep as the root ball of the fern so that the crown (where roots and stem meet) is about half an inch below the soil surface. Backfill the hole with a combination of the original soil and leaf mold to mimic the soil in the fern’s native habitat. Tamp down the soil and water immediately. Keep the soil evenly moist until the fern is established.
Spacing depends on the species and size and whether it’s a specimen or a mass planting. As a rough guideline, leave 1.5 to 2 feet between smaller types and 3 to 4 feet between large varieties.
Wood Fern Care Tips
Light
Wood fern in a shade plant needs full shade to partial shade.
Soil and Water
The soil should be rich in organic matter, slightly acidic (pH below 6.0), and consistently moist, which is a characteristic of shaded areas. Watering is usually only necessary until the plant is established and during extended dry spells.
Temperature and Humidity
As native plants in temperate climate zones, wood ferns are well-adapted to cold winters and moderately warm summers. They do not tolerate extremely hot summers but aren’t bothered by high humidity.
Fertilizer
If it has been planted in rich, fertile soil, your wood fern won’t need any fertilizer other than a few scoops of compost and leaf mold around its base every spring.
Pruning
Other than removing damaged fronds as they occur and removing dead fronds in the spring to make room for the new growth, wood fern does not need pruning.
Potting and Repotting Wood Fern
Wood fern can be grown in containers, provided that you keep them in a shady or partially shady location. Use a container that is at least 2 inches larger in diameter than the nursery container and ensure it has large drainage holes. Fill it with a combination of well-drained potting soil and leaf mold. Unlike wood fern in the landscape, potted plants need to be watered regularly, as the soil dries out rapidly. It also needs extra fertilizer. Apply a complete, balanced, granular fertilizer once a month during the growing season, following product label instructions.
Overwintering potted wood fern also requires some extra steps. Even if the fern is winter-hardy in your zone, in a container, no matter the size, the roots are exposed to the cold and need to be protected. You can either bury the container in the ground, place it in a larger container and fill the space with mulch for insulation, or wrap the container with bubble wrap or burlap.
Repot the fern to a larger pot with fresh potting mix and leaf mold when the roots fill the pot or grow out of the drainage holes.
Pests and Problems
Wood fern is rarely bothered by serious pests and diseases. Many wood fern species, both native and introduced species, are deer-resistant.
How to Propagate Wood Fern
While ferns can be propagated from spores, it is much easier and faster to divide a mature plant. In mid to late spring, carefully dig up the entire root ball and cut it into sections with a sharp shovel or a soil knife. Each section should have new growth on it. Replant the sections at the same depth as the original plant and backfill the planting hole with a mix of soil and leaf mold. Keep it well watered; some of the original fronds will die off but you should see new growth within a few weeks.
Types of Wood Fern
Crested Buckler Fern
Dryopteris dilatata 'Lepidota Cristata' is a cultivar of the broad wood fern, which is native to Europe. It has delicate-looking fronds with a crest at the tip, giving the fern a lush appearance. It forms a spreading clump 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Zone 5-9
Male Wood Fern
Dryopteris filix-mas is a very hardy North American native that forms a 3-by-3-foot clump of fronds. It remains evergreen in warm climates. Zone 3-8
Log Fern
Dryopteris celsa is another wood fern that is native to North America. It got its name from its natural occurrence on rotting logs and rich soil in swamps and wet woods in the southeastern United States. It grows 3-4 feet tall and only spreads 1.5-2.5 feet so it is also suitable for narrow spaces. Zone 5-9
Garden Plans for Wood Fern
Woodland Garden Plan
This lush woodland garden plan layers together a selection of soft-textured, shade-loving plants, including native ferns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do wood ferns come back every year?Yes, wood ferns are perennials that come back every year.
Yes, wood ferns are perennials that come back every year.
- Is autumn fern native to North America?Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is a wood fern that is native to Japan, China, and Taiwan. It is also called Japanese shield fern.
Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is a wood fern that is native to Japan, China, and Taiwan. It is also called Japanese shield fern.
- Is wood fern native to Texas?Southern wood fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana) is native to Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. Sometimes southern maiden fern (Thelypteris normalis) is sold in the nursery trade under the same common name, southern wood fern, but it is not a wood fern, it is a different genus.
Southern wood fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana) is native to Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. Sometimes southern maiden fern (Thelypteris normalis) is sold in the nursery trade under the same common name, southern wood fern, but it is not a wood fern, it is a different genus.