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Mertensia virginica en masse.
Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free
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Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern)

Ramenta covering the emerging fiddleheads of Dryopteris marginalis
Ramenta and fiddleheads of Dryopteris marginalis
Underside of fertile pinnae of Dryopteris marginalis
Marginal wood fern

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Found in woodlands and on rocky slopes and ledges, evergreen Marginal Wood Fern provides year round interest. It is monomorphic so its fronds are virtually the same size and shape, whether or not their undersides bear sori, the spore-producing receptacles. Sori placement along the pinnule margins give rise to the species epithet and common name. Fern Fiddleheads, Pinnae/Pinnules, Sori, Clump Height: 1–3 feet Spread: 11⁄2–2 feet Bloom Color: Non-flowering Characteristics Evergreen perennial forming vase-shaped clump Fiddleheads emerge in early spring covered with ramenta (brown scales) Compound, yellow-to-blue green fronds (leaves) with bipinnate to bipinnate-pinnatifid dissection Round sori located on the outer edges of pinnule undersides from June to October Grows from vertical rhizomes; well-behaved; infrequently forms colonies Attributes Tolerates dense shade and rabbits No serious pests or diseases Deer rarely damage Winter interest Provides cover for birds and other animals Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average to acidic, well-drained Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Low maintenance and easily transplanted Use as an accent or edging plant, in shaded borders or native, rock, or woodland gardens Excellent Replacement for Hedera helix - English Ivy Liriope spicata - Creeping Lily-Turf Vinca minor - Periwinkle *It is native to DC and the western parts of MD. In DE, it is uncommon in the Piedmont and extremely rare in the Coastal Plain. It is scattered throughout PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains and inner Piedmont, infrequent in the outer Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills and and Mary Free (top right), private gardens, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Woodfern)

Found* in woodlands and on rocky slopes and ledges, evergreen Marginal Wood Fern provides year round interest. It is monomorphic so its fronds are virtually the same size and shape, whether or not their undersides bear sori, the spore-producing receptacles. Sori placement along the pinnule margins give rise to the species epithet and common name.

*It is native to DC and the western parts of MD. In DE, it is uncommon in the Piedmont and extremely rare in the Coastal Plain. It is scattered throughout PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains and inner Piedmont, infrequent in the outer Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain.

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