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Phegopteris

Phegopteris (fay-GOP-ter-iss)

Family: Thelypteridaceae Unknown Herbaceous (3-15 ft)

Beech ferns are members of the Thelypteridaceae (marsh fern family). The scientific name is derived from the Greek phegos (beech) and pteris (fern). These ferns are native to the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe and Asia. Most prefer north temperate and boreal climates. One of the unique characteristics of this fern genera is that the sori do not have an indusium. Like many ferns, beech ferns are low maintenance plants that prefer moist, organically rich, well-drained, acidic soils and grow well in part to full shade. They can be propagated by dividing rhizomes or culturing the spores. Beech ferns make excellent understory accent plants in wooded, shade gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Quick ID Hints: Fronds: deciduous, triangular blade, bottom leaflets turn down, fertile and sterile fronds may appear similar Pinnae: pinnate - pinnatifid Sori: are located near the margins of the pinnae and they lack an indusium

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 29 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Fern
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Creeping
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately); Fronds
Hairs present
No
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Northern Hemisphere, northern temperate, borreal
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank; Woodland
Design feature
Accent; Border; Mass Planting
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Diseases; Heavy Shade; Insect Pests; Rabbits; Squirrels
Propagation
Division

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.