Dryopteris x australis (Dixie Wood Fern)

Dixie Wood Fern is a naturally occurring mostly sterile hybrid fern that is becoming increasingly rare in its native habitat, from Virginia to Louisiana. It is a cross between D. celsa x D. ludoviciana.  It tolerates the dry summers under the canopy of forests and wet sites of swampier areas. This fern is attractive with arching fronds and clump-forming with short rhizomes. It prefers shade to part shade in rich moist humus soils.

Use in a woodland setting, along streams or ponds or a rain garden.