Alphabetical Plant Listing

Dryopteris goldieana (Giant Wood Fern)

Giant Wood Fern, Goldie's Shield Fern, Goldie's Wood Fern, Goldie Fern, Dryopteris goldiana


One of the largest and handsomest of the North American species of Dryopteris, Dryopteris goldieana (Giant Wood Fern) is an upright deciduous fern forming a rosette of broadly oval fronds, in variable shades from blue-green to pale pastel green, divided into numerous oblong, indented pinnae. The fronds tend to taper abruptly at their tips, rather than gradually. They arise from a stout rhizome with an elevated crown. Easily grown and cold hardy, Giant Wood Fern is suitable for cultivation in a wide range of temperatures and excellent for tough moist, shady sites, either as a specimen or in small groups for a vertical accent.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm). Will slowly spread over time by creeping rhizomes.
  • Performs best in a part shade or full shade in average, humus-rich, neutral to acidic, moist and well-drained soils. This fern requires relatively high humidity levels and protection from strong wind.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, cottage gardens or woodland gardens .
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
  • Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
  • Native to eastern North America

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteris - Ferns
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm)
Spacing 48" – 72" (120cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 8
Heat Zones 5 – 8
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteris - Ferns
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 4' – 6' (120cm – 180cm)
Spacing 48" – 72" (120cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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