Crested Wood Fern

(Dryopteris cristata)

Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata)

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Summary

Dryopteris cristata, commonly known as Crested Wood Fern, is an evergreen fern native to swampy areas, wet woodlands, and bogs in the Eastern United States and parts of Europe and Asia. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters). The fronds are erect and lance-shaped, featuring a distinctive crest at the tip, which gives the plant its common name. The Crested Wood Fern has a clumping habit, with fronds that can reach up to a meter in height but remain narrow, creating a textured appearance in the landscape.

This fern is valued for its lush greenery and ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, bog gardens, and areas with poor drainage. It is also used to stabilize soil in erosion-prone areas. The Crested Wood Fern prefers partial to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soil. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring little care once established, but it does need ample water to thrive. While it is not prone to serious pests or diseases, it can suffer from root rot if drainage is inadequate.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Fern
  • Height: 1-3 feet
  • Width: 2-6 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
  • Water: High
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Native to swampy areas, wet woodlands, and bogs in the Eastern United States and parts of Europe and Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Crested Shield Fern , Narrow Swamp Fern , Crested Buckler Fern , Crested Buckler-Fern , Gray Crested Shield Fern , Crested Woodfern , Crested Fern Fern , Kammwurmfarn , Kammfarn , Kamm-Wurmfarn

Scientific Names: Dryopteris cristata , Aspidium cristatum , Polystichum cristatum , Thelypteris cristata , Nephrodium cristatum , Dryopteris cristata var. cristata , Lastrea cristata , Dryopteris affinis var. cristata , Dryopteris cristata var. mariana , Filix-mas cristata

GBIF Accepted Name: Dryopteris cristata (L.) A.Gray