Thelypteris Ferns

Thelypteris
A genus of rhizome spreading Ferns that generally prefer moist acidic soil.
Deer resistant.

* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum

* photo of unknown internet source


Thelypteris acuminata
A very attractive groundcover Fern native to Sichuan Province in China, that can reach as much as 20 inches x 6 feet in just 5 years, eventually exceeding 10 feet across. Great for naturalizing in a woodland garden.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Thelypteris beddomei ( Korean Maiden Fern )
A handsome, rhizomatous groundcover Fern, reaching as much as 1.5 x 6 feet in 4 years, eventually wider spreading. This Korean native makes an excellent woodland groundcover.
The lacy, upright fronds, up to 18 x 3 inches, are bright green.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in partial shade.

Thelypteris decursive-pinnata ( Japanese Beech Fern )
Also called Phegopteris decursive-pinnata. A handsome, deciduous to semi-evergreen groundcover Fern, native to China, Korea & Japan, that spreads underground to form large vigorous colonies reaching a maximum size of 2 x 5 feet.
The attractive, stiffly erect, triangular fronds, up to 24 x 6 inches, remains luxuriant bright green until very late in autumn. It is an excellent Fern for use as groundcover in shaded gardens.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 in partial to full shade on slightly acidic, moist fertile soil. It is easy to grow, even tolerating dry shade and wet sites.


* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ McCrillis Gardens, Bethesda, MD

* photo taken on Aug 29 2013 in Clarksville, MD

Thelypteris hexagonoptera ( Broad Beech Fern )
Also called Phegopteris hexagonoptera. A rapid rhizome spreading, deciduous Fern forming a clump up to 2.5 x 2 feet, that eventially can form broad colonies. This very attractive rhizome spreading Fern is native to moist woods of eastern North America from Minnesota to Quebec; south to eastern Texas and the northern Florida panhandle.
The broad triangular fronds, up to 24 x 12 inches, with deeply cut pinnae are mid green. The foliage turns yellow then later to bronze during autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full shade on acidic to neutral soil. Tolerates some sun and drought.

* photos taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Thelypteris kunthii ( Southern River Fern )
Also called Thelypteris normalis and Southern Shield Fern. A fast growing, spectacular, spreading, deciduous Fern reaching a maximum height of 5 feet, that is native from eastern Texas to South Carolina, south in the the Caribbean and also Mexico to northern Brazil. In ideal conditions, it can form extensive colonies, reaching up to 5 feet across in 5 years, eventually more.
The large, triangular fronds, up to 48 x 12 ( rarely over 24 x 6 ) inches, are glossy deep green, turning to bronze during autumn.
The new fronds continue to appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 ( 6 on protected sites with winter mulch ) preferring a good, fertile moist soil though can tolerate relatively dry soil in the shade. It is tolerant of sun on wet sites and can also tolerate up to 9 months of drought when it is dormant.

Thelypteris nevadensis ( Sierra Water Fern )
A deciduous Fern native from southwestern British Columbia, south to northern California and Nevada. The pinnate fronds, up to 48 inches in length, are composed of pinnae up to 4 x 1 inches in size.
* photo of unknown internet source


Thelypteris noveboracensis ( New York Fern )
A very fast spreading, deciduous Fern, forming a clump or colony reaching a maximum size of 4 x 10 feet, that is native to North America from Michigan to Newfoundland; south to Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia ( endangered in Illinois ). This very strong growing Fern can spread very aggressively by long creeping rhizomes but is good for use as a woodland groundcover where room permits. The roots of this Fern release a natural herbicide into the soil that supresses some of its competition, Prunus serotina -Black Cherry is expecially vulnerable can easily die from this chemical.
In swampy woodlands with soil PH under 4; this often becomes a dominent groundcover plant covering extensive areas.
The narrow fronds, up to 36 x 7 inches, are yellowish-green.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial shade on moist, well drained soil. Tolerates sun if soil is moist and also tolerates very wet soil.
* photo of unknown internet source

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

Thelypteris palustris ( Marsh Fern )
A rapid growing, wide spreading Fern, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet, that is native to marshes and swampy woods in North America from Manitoba to Newfoundland and south. It is fast to very invasive spreading ( spreads up to 3.5 feet per year ) due to its spreading rhizomes. Marsh Fern can easily spread to form a clump up to 5+ feet across in just 5 years, sometimes eventually much more. Looks great planted next to ponds.
The fronds, up to 48 x 6 inches, are blue-green.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, well drained soil. Tolerates swampy conditions and some sun if on wet soil.

Thelypteris patens
A huge tropical version of the Thelypteris Ferns, with fronds reaching up to 7 x 2 feet each. It is native to southern Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico south into northern Argentina.
Hardy zones 10 to 12

Thelypteris phegopteris ( Northern Beech Fern )
Also called Phegopteris connectilis. A low growing, deciduous Fern forming a clump up to 2 feet x 20 inches, that is excellent for use as groundcover though may be invasive on some sites. It is a widespread native to boreal forests of northern North America and Eurasia.
The flimsy, graceful, triangular fronds, up to 20 x 6 inches, are bright green.
The new fronds continue to appear all summer long.
Hardy zones 2 to 8

Thelypteris puberula

* photo of unknown internet source


Thelypteris serrata
A huge tropical version of the Thelypteris Ferns, with fronds reaching up to 8 feet x 2 inches each. It is native to swamps in central and southern Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico south into northern Argentina.
Hardy zones 9 to 12

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