New York Fern | Thelypteris Noveboracensis

The New York Fern is a charming woodland fern native to the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada. This native fern forms large colonies that spread like a carpet across the forest floor. It grows well in moist soils and naturally inhabits wetland ecosystems. However, it also grows well in non-wetland environments, making it a versatile, facultative fern.

The fronds of this beautiful fern are yellow-green in color and the plant can grow up to 2 ft in height, forming clumps of up to 3 ft in width. It is a deciduous fern and the fronds begin to recede following the first frost in the autumn.

Plant Details: New York Fern

Family: Thelypteridaceae

Hardiness Zones: 3–8

Light Requirement: Partial shade to full shade

Water Needs: Moderate to high

Height: 1-2 ft

Spread: 1-2 ft

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: NA

Flower Color: NA

Wildlife Value: Offers ground cover and shelter for small forest animals and insects

One unique identification component of this fern is that the widest part of the frond occurs at the blade's center rather than at the base, giving the blade the shape of a pointed oval. This pointed ovular shape has earned the easy saying “New Yorkers burn the candle at both ends” to assist in its identification in the wild. The saying pays homage to the fast-paced, busy lifestyle of many New York City residents.

Once colonies form, this fern appears as a lush, invitingly soft ground cover that will welcome visitors to the garden or woodland landscape. When planted on a slope or hill, the New York Fern will form a cascading blanket that adds a beautifully textural component to the garden.

Landscape Uses and Maintenance - New York Fern Thelypteris Noveboracensis

The New York Fern can grow in partial sun to shady locations. It prefers consistently moist, slightly acidic soil and will grow rapidly in these conditions. Colonies of this fern will expand every year and may overtake other plants in the garden so plant this fern in an area where it will have room to grow. To keep the plant from growing densely, divide the root stock when planting.

Noteworthy Characteristics of New York Fern

It provides a habitat for wildlife, lush ground cover, and is easy to maintain. This charmingly unique fern will vigorously provide summer ground cover to add to your forest landscape or shady garden. Shop for the New York Fern online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.

Uses For The New York Fern

The New York Fern is a very lovely and exciting plant to own or to have in your own garden. The fern itself can be as large as one to two feet tall at it's mature size. The leaves on the fern are very small, even when fully grown.

It grows best and is most commonly seen on the eastern side of areas such as the United States and Canada. It is a fairly new species that has been seen recently. The fern is most known to be in the Thelypteridaceae family of plant life.

The fern will grow to maturity and to its greatest capacity in moist woods areas of the world. Adding mulch to your fern can also allow the plant to grow and look its best because ferns are known to grow better in open, humid areas. These plants can give your garden a renewed look and incite a new Western feel.

Info and Foliage Characteristics

This fern is always known as an herb. It grows best in the Spring months, allowing you to enjoy it with all of the other beauties that Spring brings. The foliage color of the fern is yellow-green. This color gives your yard the natural beauty that it has been needing.

The fronds of the fern begin in Summer, which is the warmest climate, allowing the fern to use all of the humidity it can. The plant's texture is frilly. This fern is one of a few, which gives it its uniqueness. Each of the leaf blades is approximately twenty to 24 inches long. Each blade has around fifteen to thirty pairs of leaflets. The plant will have a full appearance, which will increase your garden's best value.

A Rare Native Fern

The fern plant is considered to be on the endangered plants list, which means getting one of these plants in your shade garden will not only clean the air but also give your landscaping a splendor and delicate feel. Adding one of the New York Ferns to your landscape design will give your garden a great boost over other design styles.

The fern grows and shows great color in the months that matter most. It is considered a medium-sized fern and will allow adequate space to plant other flowers and plants as well, but will let the New York Fern stand out and be known in your garden.

If you are looking to add the luxury of ferns to your collection, you should make sure to keep them in a humid area and maintain them correctly to give them their best life. The fern will give your garden what it needs. Allow your landscape to have the best plants and ferns around by adding a New York Fern to your mix.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Height at Maturity

Under 2 Feet

Care

New York Fern thrives in well-drained, moist soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. To prevent mold, keep the soil consistently moist and provide good air circulation. Mulching assists in retaining soil moisture and suppressing weeds. Regularly trim dead fronds to maintain health and appearance.

Plant Reproduction

New York Fern spreads through rhizomes and produces spores for reproduction

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Fern Rhizomes

Bare root fern rhizomes are easy to plant and bring lush, woodland beauty to shaded or partially shaded areas. To begin, soak the rhizomes in water for 1–2 hours before planting to help rehydrate them. Choose a planting site with rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter. Ferns thrive in moisture-retentive soil, so amending with compost or leaf mold is ideal.

Dig a shallow hole wide enough to spread the rhizome out horizontally, and place it just below the soil surface with the growing tips (or “eyes”) facing upward. Cover lightly with soil, press gently, and water thoroughly. Keep the soil evenly moist—never dry or soggy—while the fern establishes.

Mulch with leaf litter or pine needles to conserve moisture and mimic the fern’s natural habitat. Avoid direct sunlight, as most native ferns prefer cool, shaded conditions. With patience and proper care, the rhizomes will send up new fronds and form a graceful, low-maintenance colony that returns year after year.

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