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Dryopteris celsa (Log fern)

Dryopteris celsa Photo/Illustration: Steve Silk


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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Dryopteris celsa dry-OP-ter-iss SELL-sah Common Name: Log fern Genus: Dryopteris
This fern is a tall plant with foliage that looks good all summer long. Upright deep-green fronds are semi-evergreen but topple over in fall. May reach 3 feet.
Noteworthy characteristics: Looks great with most herbaceous plants.
Care: Grow in moist soil and partial to full shade in a protected site.
Propagation: Sow spores at 59°F when ripe. Divide plants in spring or autumn.
Problems: Rust, leaf gall, and fungal spots can occur.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Light Part Shade Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Showy Foliage
Foliage Color Evergreen
Uses Beds and Borders
Style Woodland Garden
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Fern

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

In spring, autumn fern’s fronds unfurl a copper red, then turn to bronze, and finally become a shiny dark green. The fronds are upright and lend a lacy texture to the woodland garden. This fern is usually deciduous.

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A native fern with triangular-shaped, stiff, upright fronds that can tolerate dry soil and full sun. Bracken can make very large colonies and are found in a variety of habitats ranging from dry and wet forests to meadows and bogs. They grow up to 4.5 feet tall.

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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