USDA Native Status: Native to U.S. New York fern is a soft, deciduous, yellow-green fern that stands 1-2 ft. high. The frond has a maximum width of 4 in., tapering gradually to both top and bottom. The twice-cut, thin foliage gives a rather fine texture and translucent quality to the fern. Fronds emerge singly or in small clusters. Creeping rootstocks send up fronds, sometimes forming a dense ground cover. Multiplication is very rapid from shallow, black, wiry roots, and its dense colonies can crowd out other plants, though it is less aggressive in the southern reaches of its range. It makes a good companion for spring ephemerals, covering the gaps they leave in the woodland garden. Will spread less, but survive in dry conditions.

• Part sun to shade
• Moist to average
• Height 1-3 feet - Spread 12 - 18 inches, but can reach 2 feet
• Evergreen and Native
• Zone 4-8

Thelypteris palustris
Marsh Fern  

(Thelypteris thelypteroides, Dryopteris thelypteris)

This is a very common fern in wet, sunny areas. The spores are located on the underside of fronds, on rows of dots near the midvein. Fertile fronds have leaf edges that are slightly rolled over the spore-bearing sori.  It is natively found on the edges of marshes and wet meadows, ditches, or woods; usually in rich, wet soil but not in standing water

• Height: 18-24”
• Striped (leaf stalk): smooth and pale green above, black at base
• Growth pattern: random
• Persistence: deciduous
• Zone 4-8