Southern Shield Fern (Dryopteris Ludoviciana) – 1 Gallon Pot

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Not to be confused with the Southern Wood Fern, the Southern Shield Fern, Dryopteris ludoviciana, also known as the ‘Florida Shield Fern’, is a stately, semi-evergreen clumping fern native to the Southeastern US. It grows naturally throughout the South in wet woods, swamps, and over limestone rocks where it may reach majestic, evergreen clumps to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. In the garden, however, it is easy to grow in light shade and average to moist soil where it spreads slowly and rarely exceeds 3 feet; unless you are in the deep South with oppressively hot, humid summers and heavy, saturated soils where the fern thrives and attains its impressive 4 feet clumps. The fronds of the Southern Shield Fern are slender, glossy, and dark green, only dying back when temperatures drop into the 20’s.

Growing in impressive clumps 3 to 4 feet tall and wide (depending on climate), the Southern Shield Fern is wonderful addition to the woodland garden. The shiny but leathery fronds form a striking upright architectural specimen in the garden. Use as an accent or in groupings. Despite being native to swamps, this hardy fern performs very well in normal garden conditions. Also a fine addition to Asian/Japanese gardens, rock gardens, tropical look gardens and around garden ponds and other bodies of water.

The Southern Shield Fern is easy to grow in slightly acidic to alkaline, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils of average fertility in part shade to shade. It will tolerate dry conditions for a period of time but prefers a moist soil. It prefers some shade or dappled shade throughout the day though morning sun with afternoon shade is fine.

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water perennial ferns.

How To Fertilize & Water Perennial Fern Plants