Athyrium filix-femina
southern lady fern
Dryopteridaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
fern
Size:
2.5-3.5 ft tall by 2-3 ft wide
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
winter dormant
Noted For:
Interesting Foliage
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Ground cover. This is a clump-forming fern (all fronds arise from a central point) making it a good focal point in a shade garden. Can also be used as a border plant.
Considerations:
Light:
Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Usually moist, occasional inundation
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand
Suitable to Grow In:
8A
Ecology
Wildlife:
One resource (Misssouri Botantical Garden) indicates that it tolerates rabbits.
Native Habitats:
Moist hammocks, swamps, shady bluffs.
