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Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern)

Coastal Wood Fern, Coastal Woodfern, California Wood Fern

Dryopteris intermedia, Intermediate Woodfern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, California Native Plants
Dryopteris intermedia, Intermediate Woodfern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, California Native Plants
Dryopteris intermedia, Intermediate Woodfern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, California Native Plants
Dryopteris intermedia, Intermediate Woodfern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, California Native Plants

Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern) is a vase shaped, evergreen fern with lacy, upright, dark green fronds up to 2 ft. long (60 cm). They are borne in clusters from a stout, short-creeping rhizome. The lanceolate, leathery, bipinnate fronds are divided into toothed or bristled leaflets. Dark brown to black sori (fruit dots) appear in parallel rows on the leaflet undersides on fertile fronds. Native to the west coast of North America, from British Columbia south to Baja California, Mexico and into Arizona, Coastal Wood Fern occurs naturally on shaded slopes in a variety of habitats, including oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forests, and chaparral. Dryopteris arguta can reproduce vegetatively through rhizome growth and can form large colonies. A great asset for shaded woodland gardens and slopes, it can also be used as a groundcover.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in dry to moist, well-drained soils. This fern is more drought tolerant than many ferns.
  • This plant is a great choice for native gardens, naturalizing, woodland gardens, shade gardens, border planting, slope planting as a groundcover.
  • No serious pest or disease problems. Keep an eye out for thrips. Deer resistant.
  • Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
  • Propagation by spores or division in spring or autumn.
  • Native to the west coast of North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Arizona, California, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, United States, Washington
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dryopteris wallichiana Jurassic Gold, Alpine Wood Fern Jurassic Gold, Wallich's Wood Fern Jurassic Gold, Jurassic Gold Fern
Thelypteris noveboracensis,New York Fern, Tapering Fern, Dryopteris noveboracensis, Parathelypteris noveboracensis, Polypodium noveboracense, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade
Dryopteris intermedia, Intermediate Woodfern, Evergreen Wood-fern, Fancy Wood Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade
Dryopteris cristata, Crested Woodfern, Crested Wood Fern, Buckler Fern
Dryopteris marginalis, Marginal Woodfern, Marginal Fern, Marginal Shieldfern, Evergreen Wood Fern, Leather Wood Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade
Dryopteris carthusiana, Shield Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern, Spinulose Woodfern, Toothed Wood Fern, Narrow Buckler Fern

Recommended Companion Plants

Quercus agrifolia, California Live Oak, Coast Live Oak, Encino Verde
Umbellularia californica, California Laurel, California Bay, Oregon Myrtle, Pepperwood, Balm of Heaven, Californian Olive Tree, Californian Sassafras Tree, Californian Spice Tree, Headache Tree, Evergreen Tree
Pseudotsuga menziesii, Douglas Fir, Blue Douglas Fir, Green Douglas Fir, Oregon Pine, Evergreen Shrub, Evergreen Tree
Arbutus menziesii, Madrone, Pacific Madrone, Pacific Madrona, Evergreen Shrubs, White flowers, Pink flowers, Red Fruits, Yellow Fruits, drought tolerant flowers, Flowering Tree
Holodiscus discolor, Ocean Spray, Hillside Ocean-spray, Cream Bush, Mountain Spray, White flowers, Fragrant flowers
Polystichum munitum, Western Sword Fern, Sword Fern, Giant Holly Fern, Aspidium munitum, Evergreen Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shadeAGM Award
Mahonia nervosa, Cascade Barberry, Cascade Oregon-Grape, Dwarf Oregon-Grape, Berberis nervosa, Yellow Flowers, Blue Berries, evergreen shrub
Lonicera hispidula, Pink Honeysuckle, Hairy Honeysuckle, California Honeysuckle, Western Honeysuckle, Pink Chaparral Honeysuckle, Pink flowers
Amelanchier Alnifolia, Serviceberry, Alder-Leaved Serviceberry, Saskatoon Serviceberry, Western Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shrub, Fall color, Shrub with berries
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Bearberry,  Creeping Manzanita, Common Bearberry, Kinninnick, Kinnikinnick, Pinemat Manzanita, Evergreen Shrub, Hardy Shrub, Shrub with berries
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Arizona, California, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, United States, Washington
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Clay Soil
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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Not sure which Dryopteris to pick?
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