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Woodwardia fimbriata

Also Known As

Giant Chain Fern
Western Chain Fern

Plant type

fern

size

H: 3'-6'
W: 3'-8'

planting zones

8a-10b

More Options

Woodwardia fimbriata plant details

Woodwardia fimbriata is an evergreen or semi-evergreen fern with green foliage. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Woodwardia fimbriata

Plant type: fern
Plant family: blechnaceae
Foliage: evergreen or semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 8 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
Uses: border plant, container plant, rock garden, showy, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Woodwardia fimbriata

USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Large plumes of these enormous fronds (to 6') grace wooded and forested slopes, stream banks and springs of the Pacific NW. The sturdy stalks (too good to be wasted!) were used by Indians in basketry. S-PSh/M-W

By: Forestfarm

The Giant Chain Fern, Woodwardia fimbriata, is native along the coast of California and is often found growing among the Giant Coast Redwoods. Giant Chain Ferns can be found growing in pockets in mountains across the western states and much of the Pacific coast. This is the largest fern species that is native to North America and reaches impressive heights of 6-7 feet tall under most conditions, with plants reaching 9 feet or taller with protection from wind. This species grows much faster than other ferns we grow and thrives in a wide range of conditions, and once established these ferns are fairly drought tolerant.

Deer very rarely bother Giant Chain Ferns, occasionally deer will eat the old fronds in the winter when food is scarce but these fronds freeze back in cold weather anyway.

Planting Instructions

Depending on the season your fern may arrive with actively growing fronds or with the fronds pruned back to the crown level. Plant with the crown just poking out of the soil line and the top of the root mass covered by an inch or less of soil. We prune the roots before shipping plants to ensure they establish quickly, but make sure to spread the roots across the soil rather than balling them into a twisted lump when planting.

Watering and Soil

Ferns prefer to have consistent water through the summer but avoid keeping the ground too wet - lightly moist is ideal. If you are planting ferns in poor soil or boggy locations you can pile up shredded landscaping bark or aged compost and plant directly in that. Painted Ferns naturally grow in decades or centuries worth of decaying fallen needles and branches and don't actually need to grow directly in the soil. Just keep in mind that fresh materials consume a lot of nitrogen as they decompose so adding fertilizer each year ensures the plants will have access to enough to grow to their full potential. Organic matter dries out faster than soil and often doesn't absorb water again very well after drying out completely so drip systems or regular watering greatly improve water retention.

By: Red Panda Nursery

Giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata) is a dramatic west coast native and the largest fern in North America occurring from southern BC to California. It forms evergreen fronds up to eight feet long and has been observed forming massive clumps 7-8 feet tall in wet, mild coastal habitats. In the garden it is more likely to grow 4-6 feet tall but go for gold and give it lots of rich compost and moisture. Tolerant of more sun in coastal climates and with good soil moisture.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Giant Chain Fern is a native to coastal California to British Columbia. The plant can get 4-8’ wide with evergreen fronds. Should be in a protected spot. Our plant is among rhododendrons and withstood 6-8 °F.

By: Gossler Farms

Evergreen, large, lance shaped fronds, toothed margins. Large & dramatic Zone 8-9. 3'-5', PNW, part shade-shade, moist, well drained.

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Large native fern, potentially growing to 9' tall, though usually much smaller in a garden setting. A vigorous, fast-growing species with coarse, light green fronds rising from a woody basal clump, the giant chain fern makes a strong upright silhouette that offers dramatic flair against a shaded wall. Suitable beside ponds or streams or for understory plantings with other woodland species; lilies growing up through the fronds make for an alluring combination. Best in part shade, but well-watered specimens will tolerate a surprising amount of sun. In shaded positions established plants are quite drought tolerant. Cut older fronds to the base to encourage lush springtime growth. Hardy to 10F. Western British Columbia to Southern California.

By: Native Sons

Huge arching, graceful fronds with coarse dark green pinnate pinnatifid blades that are lanceolate with a chain of sori that curl about on the undersides. Plant in partial sun to full shade & moist soil; never drying out. Zones 8 to 10. Height: 3 to 6 feet. Evergreen.

By: Sebright Gardens

THEE PERFECT prehistoric plant for that pesky dry shade spot! Native to the woodlands of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona & British Columbia, Woodwardia fimbriata is the largest fern endemic to North America. Evergreen fronds have been known to reach 9' tall, but in a garden setting will most likely grow 4-6' tall & wide. If given extra Summer water "Woody" can deal with full sun, but prefers shadier spots. The Karok, Yurok & Tolowa tribes crafted baskets using fibers of this giant. A generous topping of compost in Fall will be much appreciated. Drought tolerant once established.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Give this one plenty of room. Native to the Redwood forests on the West Coast of Oregon, California and parts of Canada and Mexico. Hardy to +10 degrees.

By: Bloom River Gardens

Western Chain Fern. Who says we don't grow natives? We just don't grow B-O-R-I-N-G ones. Ok, now I've offended you. Please, sell me on Salal, Red Alder, Scouler's Willow, Big Leaf Maple and Doug Fir. I'm waiting. This fern rocks in shaded moist areas with 5' evergreen fronds.

By: Far Reaches Farm

The classic, redwood forest, understory fern, this monster can reach well above head height, up to 6' tall x 6-8' wide, in a moist, cool, shaded glen where the frost does not linger. Remains evergreen most winters. A sturdy native of the west coast, this clone has lingered where others fail. Rich, fertile soil with regular and plentiful moisture for best performance and size. Frost hardy in USDA zone 8.