- Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 18 - 24 Inches
- Mature Spread 18 - 24 Inches
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
The Leather Wood Fern is a darling plant that features delicate leaflets that are evenly spaced along the stems. This shade-loving plant, also known as Dryopteris marginalis, has a tight, flowing form with arching fronds. The fronds are light green in the spring and gradually settle into a grayish-green color with a lustrous, leathery texture.
As a native plant, the Leather Wood Fern is easy to maintain when planted in a shady spot. Use this clump-forming fern to add texture and color to a bed, cover an embankment, or showcase it in a container. The flowing fronds will also look lovely in a hanging basket. The Leather Wood Fern is a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8.
Leather Wood Fern Care
As is typical for most ferns, the Leather Wood Fern requires full shade. Plant in an area that receives no more than 4 hours of sunlight. Soil should have high organic content and be moist but well-drained. Ferns like dampness, but they do not like standing water. Water this plant before the soil dries out.
Pruning is not necessary, but dead or damaged growth can be removed at any time. Apply a balanced fertilizer each spring.
Leather Wood Fern Spacing
The gently arching fronds of this fern will reach 18 to 24 inches tall and reach 24 to 30 inches across. Space plants 22 to 26 inches apart to create a consistent and full planting.
Leather Wood Fern Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 18 - 24 Inches |
Mature Spread: 24 - 30 Inches |
Spacing: 24 - 30 Inches |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Grayish-Green |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, 4 Season Interest |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
Tolerates: Drought |
Attracts: N/A |
Container Role: |
Uses: Containers, Groundcovers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Leather Wood Fern |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: DRYOPTERIS MARGINALIS |
- SKU:
- 1231001013-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.