Overview

Woodwardia fimbriata is a clump forming ferns in the genus Woodwardia, part of the Blechnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1-1.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Woodwardia fimbriata grows best in partial shade, and tolerates clay and loam soils and acid and neutral pH.

About

Woodwardia fimbriata, known by the common name giant chain fern, is an evergreen perennial fern species in the family Blechnaceae, in the eupolypods II clade of the order Polypodiales, in the class Polypodiopsida. It is native to western North America from British Columbia through California, including the Sierra Nevada, into Baja California. It grows in coniferous forests and other moist wooded habitat. It was first described by James Edward Smith and is characterized by its large fronds and arrangement of reproductive sori. Mature plants reach roughly 1-1.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. In the garden it prefers partial shade and clay and loam soil. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained, poorly-drained conditions and north-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Woodwardia fimbriata

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Woodwardia

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Clay, Loam

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained

Aspect

North-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Plant details

Woodwardia fimbriata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Ferns

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

1-1.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

5-10 years

Frequently asked questions