- Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 3 - 4 Feet
- Mature Spread 2 - 3 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
Goldy’s Wood Fern is excellent for the damp, shady garden. The color of this Giant Wood Fern is actually dark green, although younger growth is edged in a lighter, almost golden green. Dryopteris goldiana is native to the Eastern half of North America and is very easy to care for. The large fronds are stout and stand upright, making them stand out against other shady garden plants.
Goldy’s Wood Fern is a moderate grower, often used to naturalize a woodland garden, or more formally grown in containers with other architectural shade lovers such as hostas and Solomon’s Seal. Ferns are very hardy and have no diseases or pests that bother them. Deer and rabbits do not browse these prehistoric plants. Goldy’s Wood Fern is deciduous and will die back in the fall but return in the spring with showy fiddleheads unfurling into fronds.
Goldy’s Wood Fern Care
Plant Giant Wood Fern in a partial to fully shaded position that has well-draining, rich soil. Mulching with 2-3 inches of organic compost or shredded leaves will provide nutrients for the growing season. Goldy’s accepts any soil texture if the pH is neutral to acidic. Water Wood Ferns consistently so the soil feels like a wrung-out sponge.
Ferns require little maintenance and can be left to grow naturally over the summer. Cleaning up the fronds in the fall as they turn yellow and die back is advised if there are any pests or diseases in the garden bed. Otherwise, the fronds can be left to insulate the growing crowns and provide shelter for local wildlife over the winter. In the spring, remove any dead plant material as the new fronds emerge. Add a layer of mulch around the base of the fern. Extra fertilizing is not required for ferns.
Goldy’s Wood Fern Spacing
As its name implies, Giant Wood Fern grows large and can reach a mature height of 5 feet with a spread of 2-3 feet. Space each fern 30 inches apart on the center when planting multiples.
Goldy’s Wood Fern Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennial |
Light Exposure: Full Shade to Partial Shade (0 - 4 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 3 - 4 Feet |
Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: N/A |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit, Disease, Pests & Insects |
Tolerates: N/A |
Attracts: Birds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Containers, Groundcovers |
Features: Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Goldy's Wood Fern |
Other Name(s): Goldies Woodfern |
Scientific Name: Dryopteris goldiana |
- SKU:
- 1231007002-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

Best in Class Warranty
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
Arrival Guarantee
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Free 1-Year Plant Warranty
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.