Botanical Name: Dryopteris ludovisciana
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Common Name: Southern woodfern  
Plant photo of: Dryopteris ludovisciana
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial, Fern

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green, Red

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Richard Devine
  • Description

  • Notes

Southern Shield fern is a stately, clumping fern, native to the southeastern US, that makes a wonderful addition to the woodland garden. The shiny but leathery 3-foot long fronds form a striking upright architectural specimen in the garden. Despite being native to swamps, it performs admirably in normal garden conditions. According to fern guru, Dr. John Mickel, southern shield fern also occasionally occurs naturally on limestone outcrops, indicating a good tolerance for alkaline soils.