Deparia acrostichoides
silvery glade fern
Overview
Deparia acrostichoides is a deciduous, clump-forming fern with fronds 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) long arising from a creeping rhizome. The fronds are broadly lance-shaped and once-divided into many segments that are themselves lobed, light green and thin in texture. The underside of fertile fronds bears narrow spore cases (sori) along the veins, covered when young by pale, silvery scales that give the fern its common name. New fronds unfurl in spring, and the foliage dies back after the first hard frost. The rhizome spreads slowly, forming loose colonies rather than tight clumps over time. Fronds tear readily in wind and lose condition in dry air or direct sun. It produces no flowers; ferns reproduce by spores released from the frond undersides in summer.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America from Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to the Great Plains, with related populations in eastern Asia. Grows in moist, shaded deciduous woods, ravines, and stream banks in rich, humus-laden soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in shaded woodland and native plant gardens, along shaded borders, and beside ponds and streams, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. It forms a spreading green ground layer under trees. It is suited to moist, shaded sites and does not hold up in dry or sunny spots.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 3'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower. Spores ripen on the undersides of fertile fronds in summer, from about July to September, and are released as a powdery dust to start new plants in moist, shaded ground.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
light greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in partial to full shade in moist, rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Water during dry spells to keep the soil evenly moist; the fronds wilt and brown at the edges in drought or dry wind. Acidic to near-neutral soils with a layer of leaf litter suit it. It spreads slowly by rhizome to form colonies and needs little care once established in a suitable site. Full sun and dry soil scorch the foliage. Few pests or diseases affect it in shade.Pruning
Remove dead fronds in late fall or early spring before new growth unfurls. Torn or browned fronds can be cut away during the season without harming the plant. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons