Dryopteris spinulosa (Tooth Wood Fern) Unity Grown

Dryopteris carthusiana, previously referred to as Dryopteris spinulosa and also referred to as tooth wood fern or spinulose wood fern, is a low-maintenance, semi-evergreen native fern found growing naturally in wet woods in full or part shade to about 2-3' tall and wide. Found in the wild across the northern halves of both North America and Europe, tooth wood fern is noted for its showy fronds, with individual leaflets maturing to more intricate and lacy appearances than many other ferns, providing elegance and texture to the woodland garden.

Tooth wood fern prefers medium-moist, well-drained soils, and does especially well in fertile soils with some loam, humus, and acidity. Dryopteris spinulosa benefits from some wind protection, as its lacy fronds are susceptible to tearing, but is resistant to heavy shade, rabbit damage, and some deer damage. Ferns are an important host plant for a number of butterfly and moth larvae, and can act as important seasonal shelter for small mammals and amphibians, making them just as ecologically important as they are beautiful.