Dryopteris celsa aka Log Fern

Dryopteris celsa, or log fern, is a perennial woodland fern. It comes from the central and eastern United States. Its range includes North Carolina and reaches north to New York. It also grows west to Missouri and Arkansas. Wild plants live in damp woods and swamps. They also grow on decaying logs, which explain its common name. This species arose through a natural cross between two native ferns. Unlike some hybrids, it is fertile and produces spores.

Plants form upright clumps with many dark green fronds. Garden plants reach 3–4 feet [0.91–1.22 metres] tall. Published widths range from 1.5–3 feet [0.46–0.91 metres]. Creeping rhizomes let the clumps spread across the ground. Growth proceeds at a medium rate. The foliage may stay green through part or all of winter. Its height and upright form suit the space beneath trees. The dark foliage gives shaded beds a strong visual focus.

The fronds have a firm texture and a glossy surface. Their blades have an oblong to lance-shaped outline. Each blade divides into leaflets with long, narrow tips. Small, rounded teeth line the leaf edges. Black scales cover the leaf stalks, called stipes. The rhizomes are also black. Each stipe takes up about one-third of the frond's length. This fern has neither flowers nor fruit. Fertile fronds carry rows of round sori, which hold spores. Related ferns can cross with one another, making identification difficult.

Grow log fern in partial shade or full shade. It also tolerates deep shade beneath a tree canopy. It prefers rich soil with humus and steady moisture. Acidic to neutral soil suits it. Loam and clay are both listed as suitable soil types. Give it good drainage, though it tolerates occasional wet conditions. Established plants can also cope with some drier sites. Shelter from wind suits its preferred growing conditions. Sources list USDA zones 5–9, with NC State extending this to zone 4. Division provides a way to grow more plants.

Use log fern in woodland beds and native plant gardens. It works in groups, along shaded borders, or alone. Its lasting foliage also suits winter gardens. Care needs are low, and sources report no major pest problems. They also report no serious diseases. Deer seldom damage it, and rabbits show little interest.