Dryopteris goldiana – Goldie’s Fern

The largest member of the genus and sometimes called “Giant Wood Fern.” Slow-growing, it takes a few years and soil that is consistently moist and rich in humus to reach its ultimate size. Plants in pots (like the ones you’re looking at right now) are usually young and no where near the size mature plants will attain. Like most Dryopteris, this is a clumping fern. Plant a number of them in a group for a magnificent display or spot them around the woodland garden where they will rise above more delicate shade plants without overwhelming them. Native to the Catskills but uncommon.