Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern)

Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern) is a vase shaped, evergreen fern with lacy, upright, dark green fronds up to 2 ft. long (60 cm). They are borne in clusters from a stout, short-creeping rhizome. The lanceolate, leathery, bipinnate fronds are divided into toothed or bristled leaflets. Dark brown to black sori (fruit dots) appear in parallel rows on the leaflet undersides on fertile fronds. Native to the west coast of North America, from British Columbia south to Baja California, Mexico and into Arizona, Coastal Wood Fern occurs naturally on shaded slopes in a variety of habitats, including oak woodlands, mixed evergreen forests, and chaparral. Dryopteris arguta can reproduce vegetatively through rhizome growth and can form large colonies. A great asset for shaded woodland gardens and slopes, it can also be used as a groundcover.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
• A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in dry to moist, well-drained soils. This fern is more drought tolerant than many ferns.
• This plant is a great choice for native gardens, naturalizing, woodland gardens, shade gardens, border planting, slope planting as a groundcover.
• No serious pest or disease problems. Keep an eye out for thrips. Deer resistant.
• Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
• Propagation by spores or division in spring or autumn.
• Native to the west coast of North America.