California Wood Fern, Coastal Wood Fern, or Shield Fern
Dryopteris arguta (POLYPODIACEAE)
Planting and Growing California Wood Fern
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow California wood fern, coastal wood fern, or shield fern in the accompanying table’s tabs:
-
- Fronds and spores of California wood fern, coastal wood fern, or shield fern
- Growing conditions for California wood fern
- When and where to plant California wood fern
- How to plant California wood fern
- How to shape, prune and control growth of California wood fern
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of California wood fern
- Landscape uses of California wood fern
- Pest and disease control for California wood fern
Growing California Wood Fern
Many cultivars of erect, mounding, arching, open, rhizomatous, semi-evergreen ferns, to 30 in. (75 cm) tall and 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide, with shiny, light green, broadly pyramid-shaped, double-divided, finely cut, toothed fronds, 1–3 ft. (30–90 cm) long, on stiff, fibrous leafstalks.
Autumn fern, Dryopteris erythrosora, and spreading fern, Dryopteris expansa, are closely related species with similar care needs.
California Wood Fern Planting and Care Guide
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 5–9. Hardy.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy humus or, in water features, shoreline sites. Fertility: Rich. 5.5–6.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Partial to full shade. Space 18–24 in. (45–60 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep evenly moist. Mist occasionally. Fertilize every 2 months. Deadhead old, broken fronds. Protect from sun, heat. Propagate by division, spores.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, backgrounds, borders, containers, edgings, fencelines, ground covers, slopes in natural, shade, small-space, woodland gardens and water feature shorelines. Pest and disease resistant.