A beautiful and easy native fern to grow, forming 2-3′ vase-shaped mounds that are often evergreen in protected areas. Fronds are strong and have attractive brown scales at their base. Also called Leatherwood fern. Shade tolerant and adaptable to many soil types.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Marginal Shield Fern
Dryopteris marginalis
Plant Type: Ferns
Native Environment:
Season of Interest:
Main Color: Green
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Courtesy of MDC

Sun Exposure

Soil
Moisture
Moderate

Nature Attracting

Wildlife Benefit
Cover

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
2 to
3
feet
Spread:
2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Typical Landscape Use
A great plant to add texture to a woodland or shady area.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Shade-partial shade, adapts well to many soil types, prefers some moisture.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fresh Cut Flower, Ground Cover
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.