Swamp Fern
Blechnum serrulatum
This is one of our most common ferns found throughout most of Florida in swamps and moist pinelands. It is normally two to three feet tall in sunny locations, yet may rarely reach six feet in deep shade. It is also called marsh fern, yet that name goes to Thelypteris palustris.
Look for a solid row of brown spores, versus dots, on either side of the lower midvein to tell it apart from the Sword Ferns. The plant spreads by an underground rhizome forming a compact colony. The foliage is shiny and has reddish new growth.
Plant around slash pine, cypress, red maple and other wetland trees and shrubs. The combination of wild coffee bordered by this fern is striking. As the colony increases, break off portions and plant in new locations making sure to water until established.
I have found Swamp Fern in sites that flood for a week or more and also near the top of trails where the soil is barely moist. Flower fertilizer may be needed to get the plants established, yet they should be on their own within three months.
Long periods of drought will cause the leaves to die back to the root system, yet with rain they should return. Better to just choose a moist site or irrigate as needed. In the picture above, the site is watered once or twice a week, only during extended drought.
This planting around a bird bath looks great, yet keep cats out as they will ambush your birds from the cover. Mix with Marsh, Hottentot, Giant Leatherleaf and Goldenfoot Fern. Also, Prairie Iris, Yellow Canna and shade tolerant native grasses like Coastal Foxtail.
If you mix with Sword Ferns, these will need to be planted several feet away to prevent crowding. A mass of Swamp Ferns along the foundation mixed with shrubs and wildflowers will produce a lovely effect.
This is another groundcover that can be used where grass is shaded out. Why fight a wet to moist low spot in the yard when you can easily make it beautiful with this and other ferns and wetland groundcovers?