Dryopteris ludoviciana - Florida Shield Fern

Dryopteris ludoviciana is a fern native to the marshy areas of Louisiana and Florida where it is commonly known as "The southern woodfern". Although not frequently planted in our gardens, it possesses many qualities: it is vigorous, very cold-resistant, tolerant to limestone, dense shade, and waterlogged soils. This botanical species forms a beautiful clump of shiny and tough fronds of two types, upright or spreading, which persist more or less in winter depending on the climate. It is a great choice to dress shaded areas of the garden, especially on the banks of water points or in very humid soils.

Dryopteris ludoviciana belongs to the large family of Dryopteridaceae. It is a botanical species native to the southern United States, where it is found in a vast area ranging from Florida to Texas, Kentucky, and North Carolina, in marshy forests, often on a limestone substrate. Its foliage persists in winter in mild climates. This fern slowly forms a beautiful clump with a habit that is both upright and spreading, reaching an average height of 90cm (35in) and a spread of 80cm (32in). The clump expands over time thanks to short rhizomes, without colonizing space. It is composed of two types of fronds: the sterile fronds stand upright, dominating the arched fertile fronds that will bear spores. Each frond, with a long triangular shape, a tough and shiny texture, is divided twice into more or less crenate leaflets. Their colour gradually transitions from a very bright light green to dark green. D. ludoviciana is hardy beyond -15°C.

Dryopteris ludoviciana, not demanding regarding soil type, is very easy to grow in all shaded and cool to moist locations, including clay soils with a limestone tendency. Elegant yet sturdy, it is perfect for slightly neglected areas of the garden, where it will thrive under tree cover. It can also be planted near a water point, alongside other perennials for wet banks such as Rodgersia, Solomon's Seals, and Astilbes. It forms very attractive mass plantings in the understorey, placed next to Astilbe arendsii 'Burgundy Red', a feathery-leaved fern like Athyrium filix-femina, or Ligularias.