Dryopteris clintoniana - Clinton's Wood Fern

Dryopteris clintoniana is an excellent fern for cold regions and harsh climates, including marshy soil. This species develops large and beautiful broadly triangular fronds, bright green in spring, often evergreen in winter. It forms a large, bright bouquet with an almost tropical appearance in the wet and shaded places it loves. Planted in any non-drying soil, but without excessive limestone, tolerating hot summers, it will require no maintenance and may even self-seed.

Dryopteris clintoniana, also known as Clinton's wood fern, belongs to the family of Dryopteridaceae. It is a fertile hybrid between the species Dryopteris cristata and D. goldiana native to North America. It is found in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In nature, this large fern is found on the edge of forests, in swamps, and in other wet places. This fern grows from a short, very strong, creeping rhizome without being invasive. An adult plant will form a spreading clump measuring an average of 90cm (35in) in height by 60-70cm (24-28in) in width. In spring, young upright fronds emerge from the ground and slowly unfurl. Rust-coloured, they are decorative. Its fronds are broadly triangular, incurved, carried by a very long scaly petiole that represents 1/3 to 1/4 of the total length of the frond. They are tender in texture and their colour is a very fresh, matte light green. While the stump can withstand temperatures as low as -25°C (1°F), the foliage can be damaged by the wind. Under normal winters, the sterile fronds, smaller than the fertile fronds, remain attractive in winter. They have 14 to 16 pairs of small leaflet segments called pinnules. The foliage, tender in texture and a fresh matte light green, is sensitive to strong winds.

This beautiful plant will delight all enthusiasts of large ferns that are easy to grow in moist soil. Since the weight of the lamina is carried towards the tip of the frond, it will be necessary to find a location sheltered from the wind for Dryopteris clintoniana and support it with smaller plants. In rich soil, it can become quite spectacular. This fern associates well with many shade-loving perennials and thrives on the banks of a natural pond or along a slightly shaded stream. To accompany it, consider, for example, Rodgersias, meadow queens (Filipendula), giant hostas, goat's beard (Aruncus)...