Woodwardia fimbriata (Chain Fern)
A rarely seen fern of our lowland Salish Sea region, found in mixed conifer or conifer-hardwood forests, often near stream edges, springs, or seeps along rocky outcrops. (In Thurston County, keep an eye out to encounter them in sections of Burfoot County Park!)
While having the feathery appearance of a deciduous fern such as Lady-fern, the large, graceful fronds of Woodwardia are actually evergreen, arising from a stout base where many fronds emerge in a tight cluster. Considered the largest native fern in North America, fronds can grow 3+ feet long, and over time a Woodwardia fern can be 4 ft. or more high and wide, though they usually top out ~3x3 ft. in our area.
Given its native habitat near moisture, this fern will do best if given a little supplemental irrigation in summer, though it may also slip into semi-dormancy in summer, similar to licorice ferns. Siting this evergreen fern adjacent to your birdbath is a great way to give year-round cover to your songbirds while also ensuring this fern does not get too thirsty. As with most ferns, site this in full to partial shade, with hummus-rich soil and woodchip mulch on top. Naturally deer and rabbit resistant!
A rarely seen fern of our lowland Salish Sea region, found in mixed conifer or conifer-hardwood forests, often near stream edges, springs, or seeps along rocky outcrops. (In Thurston County, keep an eye out to encounter them in sections of Burfoot County Park!)
While having the feathery appearance of a deciduous fern such as Lady-fern, the large, graceful fronds of Woodwardia are actually evergreen, arising from a stout base where many fronds emerge in a tight cluster. Considered the largest native fern in North America, fronds can grow 3+ feet long, and over time a Woodwardia fern can be 4 ft. or more high and wide, though they usually top out ~3x3 ft. in our area.
Given its native habitat near moisture, this fern will do best if given a little supplemental irrigation in summer, though it may also slip into semi-dormancy in summer, similar to licorice ferns. Siting this evergreen fern adjacent to your birdbath is a great way to give year-round cover to your songbirds while also ensuring this fern does not get too thirsty. As with most ferns, site this in full to partial shade, with hummus-rich soil and woodchip mulch on top. Naturally deer and rabbit resistant!
A rarely seen fern of our lowland Salish Sea region, found in mixed conifer or conifer-hardwood forests, often near stream edges, springs, or seeps along rocky outcrops. (In Thurston County, keep an eye out to encounter them in sections of Burfoot County Park!)
While having the feathery appearance of a deciduous fern such as Lady-fern, the large, graceful fronds of Woodwardia are actually evergreen, arising from a stout base where many fronds emerge in a tight cluster. Considered the largest native fern in North America, fronds can grow 3+ feet long, and over time a Woodwardia fern can be 4 ft. or more high and wide, though they usually top out ~3x3 ft. in our area.
Given its native habitat near moisture, this fern will do best if given a little supplemental irrigation in summer, though it may also slip into semi-dormancy in summer, similar to licorice ferns. Siting this evergreen fern adjacent to your birdbath is a great way to give year-round cover to your songbirds while also ensuring this fern does not get too thirsty. As with most ferns, site this in full to partial shade, with hummus-rich soil and woodchip mulch on top. Naturally deer and rabbit resistant!