Dryopteris carthusiana
spinulose wood fern
Overview
Dryopteris carthusiana is a clump-forming, deciduous to semi-evergreen fern 12-30 inches (30-75 cm) tall, growing from a short, creeping rhizome. The fronds are lance-shaped to broadly triangular, twice to three times divided into many narrow, sharply toothed segments, which gives them a lacy, finely cut look. Each frond stalk is pale and scaly toward the base, and the blade is widest near the middle and tapers to a point. Like all ferns it reproduces by spores rather than seeds, carried in small round clusters with kidney-shaped covers on the undersides of the leaflets through summer. The fronds rise in a loose, shuttlecock-like crown that may stay partly green into winter in mild areas. D. carthusiana grows in moist woodland, swamps, streambanks, and shaded slopes on damp, acidic, humus-rich soils across the cooler parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It spreads slowly and seldom becomes crowded. The fronds can scorch in full sun or dry soil.
Native Range
Dryopteris carthusiana has a wide circumboreal distribution across the cooler regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America it ranges from Canada south through the northeastern and north-central United States, growing in moist, shaded, acidic woodlands and wetlands.Suggested Uses
Planted in shade and woodland gardens, along the north side of buildings, and at the damp margins of ponds and streams. It is used as a foliage filler among hostas, wildflowers, and other shade plants. The lacy fronds suit naturalistic and woodland plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
As a fern it produces spores instead of flowers. Round spore clusters form on the frond undersides and ripen from midsummer to early autumn. The released spores grow into tiny separate plants that in turn give rise to new ferns.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
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
Grow Dryopteris carthusiana in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil at an acidic to neutral pH. It is hardy through USDA zones 3 to 8 and suits the cool, damp conditions of a woodland floor. The fronds scorch in direct sun or dry ground, so steady moisture and shade keep them fresh. Mulch with leaf litter to hold moisture and feed the soil. The fern spreads slowly by rhizome and rarely needs division, though clumps can be split in spring. It needs little care where soil stays moist and shaded.Pruning
Cut away dead or tattered fronds in late winter before the new croziers unfurl. The old fronds can otherwise be left to protect the crown over winter. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons