It is adaptable to relatively dry locations. I have 3 small colonies and all are in dry areas, irrigated only during prolonged dry periods. It does spread by rhizomes, but in a dry location, it may require several years to become established and begin to spread. Without irrigation, it may brown-out and become dormant during hot dry summers.
I suppose some would say it is invasive, because of it's spreading habit, but I have found it to be fairly tame compared to some of our native ferns, such as New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis), Netted Chain Fern(Woodwardia areolata) and Bramble Fern(Hypolepis repens), all denziens of damp native habitats, but can also become a nuisance, even in a dry, shaded woodland or garden setting.
It is not a showy fern, rarely growing more than a foot tall, and is deciduous. That, with the somewhat invasive properties, are likely the reasons it is not more popular and widely available, IMO. Most gardeners I know, if they grow ferns at all, would pass it, in favor of some species/cultivar that is more colorful, evergreen, taller or confined to a well defined clump.
Rb

so what (if any) other ferns could do okay in a somewhat dry, to cover a somewhat difficult area. any Dryopteris species? ... Cinnamon fern need more water? Bracken ferns? (I would have to ask to dig some up) ... Ostrich ferns grow easy but look really crappy in drier areas IMO

the area is rather difficult... I'm trying different ideas and the Japanese Beech fern seems shallow rooted and hardy, nice and upright groundcover.

other ideas for the area are Pachysandra, Lily of the Valley, or English Ivy

Ivy is the most invasive it requires constant cutting back to keep it off trees especially. Look for a small ground cover plant not a vine .

Been there done that learned lol

For dry shade, look at Geranium macrorrhizum. epimediums, Euphorbia robbiae, or Sarcococca humilis, if suited to your location and zone. All thrive in dry shade and form manageable colonies.

But after nearly 20 years, I would assume the OP has already addressed this issue.