Dryopteris ×australis, commonly known as Dixie Wood Fern, is a semi-deciduous fern native to the understory of deciduous and mixed forests, often found in moist, shady areas such as swamps, seeps, and along stream banks in the Southeastern United States. This naturally occurring hybrid, resulting from the cross between Dryopteris ludoviciana and Dryopteris celsa, is typically sterile or mostly sterile. It can reach a height of 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters) and a width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters), with a lush, upright, and clumping form.

Dixie Wood Fern is valued for its large, bold foliage that adds texture to shaded garden areas. It is an excellent choice for naturalizing in woodland gardens, as a background plant in shaded borders, or for erosion control on moist, shady slopes. It requires consistently moist soil, rich in organic matter, and thrives in part shade to full shade. While it is adaptable to various soil types, it prefers those with good drainage. This fern is relatively low maintenance, but gardeners should be mindful of potential issues such as fungal diseases in overly wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0