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Dryopteris ludoviciana (Southern wood fern)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Dryopteris ludoviciana
Other names
Southern wood fern, Southern woodfern, Southern shield fern, Florida shield fern
Genus
Dryopteris Dryopteris
Species
D. ludoviciana - D. ludoviciana is an upright, clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen fern with erect to arching, glossy, triangular, pinnate, mid- to dark green fronds divided into pointed, lance-shaped, deeply lobed pinnae.
Dryopteris ludoviciana is: Evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Upright
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
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Where to grow
Dryopteris ludoviciana (Southern wood fern) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Woodland
Cultivation
Grows in fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid soil in partial to full shade. Best with protection from strong wind.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Dryopteris ludoviciana
Other names
Southern wood fern, Southern woodfern, Southern shield fern, Florida shield fern
Genus
Dryopteris Dryopteris
Species
D. ludoviciana - D. ludoviciana is an upright, clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen fern with erect to arching, glossy, triangular, pinnate, mid- to dark green fronds divided into pointed, lance-shaped, deeply lobed pinnae.
Native to
Southeastern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Dryopteris ludoviciana (Southern wood fern) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Woodland
Cultivation
Grows in fertile, humus-rich, moist, neutral to acid soil in partial to full shade. Best with protection from strong wind.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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