wetland fern
Giant chain fern
Woodwardia fimbriata
Native to Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and southern Canada
Southern British Columbia to southern California, mostly near the coast; irregularly inland to Arizona and southern Nevada
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 5–11 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Flowering time
- Height up to 8 ft to 2.4 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland fern for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 8 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–11.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington and southern CanadaUnited States (5): AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA. Canada (1): BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern British Columbia to southern California, mostly near the coast; irregularly inland to Arizona and southern NevadaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–11 · Canadian 6–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 8 ft (to 2.4 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- FernWhat kind of plant it is.
- Flower color
- Not ApplicableThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.