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Goldie's Wood Fern Dryopteris goldieana

Phonetic Spelling
dry-OP-ter-iss gold-ee-AY-nah
Description

Goldie's Wood-fern is a native found in the rich moist soil of forested areas and seepage swamps of eastern North America and the mountains and Piedmont of NC. It is one of the largest ferns in this genus, growing to 4 feet (1.22 m) tall. It will spread slowly by short rhizomes (with an elevated crown) to form a 6-foot clump. It is easy to distinguish from other ferns not only by its size but also by the backward-arching, oblong-triangular fronds.  The fronds taper near the tip. The plant is easy to grow and prefers moist, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade. Once established, plants are difficult to move.

This fern prefers a bright shady site, moist fertile acidic soils, protection from the wind and humid conditions. Use in a woodland garden, along ponds, streams or bogs, or massed in a native garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No issues noted.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

More information on Dryopteris.

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Tags:
#deciduous#easy to grow#shade garden#fern#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native fern#food source summer#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#easy to grow#shade garden#fern#rabbit resistant#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native fern#food source summer#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#Audubon#heavy shade tolerant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dryopteris
    Species:
    goldieana
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Canada to U.S.A
    Distribution:
    Eastern United States and Canada
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, rabbits; This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Other/more complex
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Fronds are 2-3' long, 1-1½' across, ovate shaped, and form a loose rosette. They are backward-arching, dark green to golden green, and taper abruptly near the tip and slightly narrowing at the base. These fronds have large oblong triangular, pinnate-pinnatifid blades, and the 7-8 flattened pinnae are pale green along the margins. Segments have a firm texture. They have a long, thick stipe and are very scaly at the base. The compound leaf has 12-18 pairs of leaflets that are alternate on the stalk. The sori are on the underside of the leaflets and lie near the midvein. Fronds turn pale yellow in fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are green to gray-green and covered with brownish scales. They are 1/3 the length of the frond.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Near Septic
    Pond
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil