Native Plant of the Week: Goldie's Wood Fern

Family: Polypodiaceae

Name: Dryopteris goldieana

Bloom Time: None

Flower: None.

Soil Condition: Moist, rich, well-drained

Light: Partial shade, shade, dappled shade

Size: 3-4' tall by 3-6' wide

Native Range: Eastern North America including Long Island (BONAP)

Zone: 3-8

Photos: Fronds (Homer Edward Price: CC BY 2.0) and Form, (Daderot: CC BY 2.0)

Goldie's fern is easily identified by its size, backward arching fronds, and elevated crown. It also has a lovely vase shape. Very easy to grow and once established it is difficult to remove. It reproduces by spores and rhizomes and makes a great ground cover in shady, moist woods. Once established, it is difficult to remove.

Maintenance: Protection from wind.

Benefits: Deer resistant. Usually rabbit resistant. Drought resistant.

Fun Facts: The largest native North American species of Dryopteris. Goldie's wood fern and ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are the largest ferns in eastern North America.

Companion Plants: Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), Aruncus dioicus (goat's beard), Caltha palustris (marsh marigold), Tiarella cordifolia (foamflower)

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References:

1.

1. https://bonap.net/MapGallery/State/Dryopteris%20goldiana.png

2. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/dryopteris-goldieana/

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