Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides (Michx.) Hultén
Southern lady fern
Dryopteridaceae (Wood Indies-Almond Family)
A waist-high, delicate-looking
fern for moist-to-wet semi-shade, this is a great
fern to use in large-scale, eastern woodland landscapes. It is easy to grow, even aggressive in the right conditions, and requires no more maintenance than preventing it from drying out. Its lime green fiddleheads emerge in the spring and then continue less abundantly through summer and fall. Mature foliage is a refreshing light green.
Image Gallery:
1 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Fern Leaf Retention: Deciduous Size Notes: Normally 18 to 36 inches
Leaf: Light green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , LA , MD , MA , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , DC
Native Distribution: Eastern North America, Zones 6 to 8
Native Habitat: Thickets, Shaded woods, Swamps, Stream, river banks, Acid bogs. Meadows, open thickets, moist woods, and swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium , High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rich, moist to wet, acid to neutral, sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, and clay soils
Conditions Comments: Tolerates seasonal flooding but not drought. Also does best in dappled shade to part shade, not so good in deep shade.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Ground cover, Bog or pond area, Water garden, Accent plant, Woodland landscape
Use Wildlife: Provides cover for Woodhouse Toads and anoles
Interesting Foliage: yes
Last Update: 2009-02-10
