20–30" tall. Also known as Marginal Wood Fern and Evergreen Wood Fern.
Strong sturdy stems and slightly glossy leathery grey-green fronds make this one of the best ferns for floral arrangements. In late spring it’s great fun to look for immature sori (spore cases) on the underside of the frond. Hunt for small green bumps along the margins of the subleaflets. Later in the year, the sori change color to rusty-brown.
Evergreen leaves flourish through the winter and can be found in rocky wooded slopes in eastern Canada, onwards south to Alabama and farther west to the Rocky Mountains.
Performs best in less than 3 hours of sunlight per day but will tolerate more if you ask nicely. Plant 12" apart in moist well-drained woodland soil. Zone 3.
ships in spring