What is Shield Fern Plant? – How to Grow Southern Shield Ferns in Gardens?

Have you ever heard about shield fern plants? Do you know how to grow them? How to take care of them? Are you a shade lover? If yes, then it’s great that you are here. Shade lovers aren’t bothered by any deer browsing, they try to grow southern shield ferns.

But do you know exactly about it? If not, don’t worry I am here to help you out by sharing the information in detail about the shield fern plant with ways to grow southern shield ferns in gardens. Let’s start to grow them without wasting time.

Key takeaways:

• From South Carolina through Florida, west into west Texas, and south to the Caribbean Islands, this fern species is native.
• Once the plant has established itself in these areas, Southern Shield Fern care is modest. 
• They do prefer shade to partial shade with dripping limestone, ravines, low woods, riverbanks, and marshes.
• The other names of river fern, southern maiden fern, wood fern, and common maiden fern.
• The planting of shield fern plants is preferred in moist soil, rich in organic matter.
• It does scale a pH between 6.1 and 7.8.

Do you know One of the most beautiful ferns in the woods is the Southern Shield Fern? Its deciduous, soft-looking fronds make it one of the most beautiful of our native ferns, and its adaptability to the southern garden makes it one of the most popular. Let’s learn more about this fern plant in detail. 

GENUS NAME	Dryopteris
COMMON NAME	Wood Fern
PLANT TYPE	Perennial
LIGHT	Part Sun, Shade
HEIGHT	1 to 3 feet
WIDTH	1 to 3 feet
SEASON FEATURES	Winter Interest
SPECIAL FEATURES	Good for Containers, Low Maintenance
ZONES	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
PROPAGATION	Division

What is a Shield Fern?

Growing southern shield fern plant prefers shade to partial shade with dripping limestone, ravines, low woods, riverbanks, and marshes. The shield fern (Thelypteris kunthii) has several common names, including river fern, southern maiden fern, wood fern, and common maiden fern. In east-west Texas it is called the river fern because it only grows near or near water, while in east-central Texas the fern is only found in moist wooded environments, Hence the name wood fern.

Ferns are great plants for shady gardens, and the southern shield fern is no exception. This Florida native goes by several other names, including Southern Wood Fern and Queens’ Maiden Fern. Large, triangular leaves emerge in spring and grow to three to four feet tall.

Bright green foliage complements other shade lovers like cast-iron plants throughout the summer. Then in autumn, the leaves turn into rich bronze. Because it will form clumps and spread over time, southern shield fern is a good ground cover, although it may need some tameness to keep it contained.

This versatile fern likes moist soil but is also well drought tolerant. It’s even resistant to deer, making it ideal for gardeners who have trouble finding plants that deer won’t eat. Southern Shield Fern is also known as Dryopteris normalis, Dryopteris saxatilis, Thelypteris macrorhizoma, Thelypteris normalis, Thelypteris unca, Southern Shield Fern, Southern Wood Fern, Southern Maiden Fern, River Fern, and Widespread Maiden Fern. You don’t have to live near the coast to successfully grow southern shield fern.

Shield Fern Plant tolerates short periods of drought and does well in USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10. Choose a partially shaded planting site with moist soil, rich in organic matter, good drainage, and a pH between 6.1 and 7.8. Take soil samples to a nearby Cooperative Extension Service for analysis.

Growing Southern Shield Fern Plant 

Like other ferns, the shield fern is characterized by its long, pale green leaves. These pinnate leaves have hairs on the top and bottom. This fern is an excellent low-maintenance groundcover fern for shady areas of the landscape. It can reproduce by root division and, as mentioned, is deer-resistant some examples of deer-resistant herbs and vegetables are Radishes, Eggplant, Fennel, Lavender, Thyme, and Chives. 

The plant spreads by rhizomes to form colonies and quickly fill an area. Caring for Southern Shield Fern When planting Southern Shield Ferns, choose a shady to partially shaded area with average to rich, moist, well-drained areas, although Shield ferns can tolerate poor drainage. Fern care is minimal. Water during droughts and prune dead leaves before spring to encourage new growth. 

How do you care for Southern Shield Ferns in Gardens?

Below are the caring tips for your plant. Read them properly and follow them. They are as follows:

Sunlight Needs

• This plant requires partial shade to full shade for the healthy growth of the plant. 
• This plant will not grow well in direct sunlight so you have to be cautious in this. 
• You will observe rust spots on the fronds if you will plant them in full sunlight. 
• This shows that the plant will require more water to grow. 

Watering Requirements

• This plant will grow well if you provide it with a good amount of water daily, especially if you’re growing it in full sunlight.
• You have to water it 1 inch in every week.
• Though it is a drought-tolerant plant and remains without water for a long, it will not look good in that condition.
• At the time the plant is growing, it requires more water to develop strong roots.
• When it becomes mature, then reduce the frequency of watering the plant. 

Fertilization needs 

• Though this plant does not need to be fertilized daily, you can provide it with fertilizer once time in a year.
• You can make use of slow-release fertilizer at the time of spring.
• It will help in the vigorous growth of the plant. Also, you can apply some organic mulch at the base of the soil.
• You have to keep the soil moist so fertilizing is important as it will help in growing the plant in full sunlight by providing it with nutrients. 

Temperature Preferences

• The temperature requirement of this plant is moderate, you have to provide it with an average room temperature. 
• These plants will be affected by the arrival of frost. 
• It is suggested to move this brand to the greenhouse at the time of winter.
• To protect your plant from the frost. You have to change its location and provide it with its Preferred temperature requirement. 

Pests And Diseases

• Pests and diseases tend to come to a plant to ruin its growth. 
• But you will be happy to know that this plant is free from pests and diseases. 
• They will remain healthy for a long but also will develop spots on the fronds with some time. 
• So, you have to control if there are some fungal infestations. You have to do so with the help of a fungicide.

Pruning Requirements

• Every plant requires pruning to maintain a healthy shape and size. 
• This plant does not require much pruning as it will not grow wild in your area. 
• You can trim it off if the plant is growing vigorously. 
• It will help in promoting the growth of the plant and make use of sterilized scissors for doing so. 

Soil Type

• The type of soil required by this plant is well-drained and moist soil. 
• This variety will not grow well in the poor soil but if you feed them with it, then be cautious that it does not remain soggy.
• Provide them with clayey soil and loamy soil. 

Where to Plant Wood Fern? 

As you are looking to plant wood ferns in your home garden, it’s great, so now you should know where to plant wood ferns. You have to plant the wood fern in the location where it receives shade, i.e.; partial shade to full shade. 

You have to provide them with humus-rich, well-drained soil. Strong winds will not be able to bear by the younger plants. So, you have to choose a sheltered location for your plant. 

Every variety of the wood fern is different, which includes their different heights, growing rates, and spreading rates. So, you have to choose according to your available location. They will be highly visible in your location, so it is a great choice for your location.

Wrapping up the context 

In this article, you come to know about shield fern plants. Ferns are great plants for shady gardens, and the southern shield fern is no exception. This Florida native goes by several other names, including Southern Wood Fern and Queens’ Maiden Fern. Large, triangular leaves emerge in spring and grow to three to four feet tall.

Bright green foliage complements other shade lovers like cast-iron plants throughout the summer. Then in autumn, the leaves turn into rich bronze. Because it will form clumps and spread over time, southern shield fern is a good ground cover, although it may need some tameness to keep it contained. I hope this article will be helpful for you all. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Gardening!