The evergreen woodfern is in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). The fern is native to the eastern half of North America. The species epithet is Latin for “intermediate,” the meaning of which was unexplained at the time the species was named. It prefers moist, shady sites but will tolerate dryish conditions on a short term basis. This fern does not spread. Plant in an area protected from strong winds that may damage the fronds.The fern grows in clay or loamy, rich acidic soil. It can take dappled light to deep shade. This fern is easy to grow. Its fronds are evergreen to semi-evergreen in climates that experience mild winters. In locations where it is not evergreen, the old fronds should be removed during the winter months before the new spring growth begins. The evergreen wood fern can be grown in native or shade gardens, in woodlands, or in moist rocky areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . More information on Dryopteris .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Deeply dissected blades arranged in circular cluster; blade is oval to narrowly triangular, bippinnate pinnatified to tripinnate and thin textured; minute glands on blade; first lower pinnule on basal pinna is shorter than the second; stipe has light brown scales and is one fourth to one third the frond length
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
North America
Distribution
Eastern United States
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Naturalized Area; Near Septic; Small Space; Woodland