woodland fern

Northern oak fern

Gymnocarpium dryopteris

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Circumboreal, south to upland Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Arizona and Oregon

In the garden

A woodland fern for sun through shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 16 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 1–8.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (29): AK, AZ, CO, CT, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY. Canada (6): BC, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Circumboreal, south to upland Virginia, Iowa, New Mexico, Arizona and OregonThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 1–8 · Canadian 0–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist, rich soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Height: up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.