Dryopteris arguta - Coastal Wood Fern

Description

The Coastal Wood Fern Carpets shady forested slopes from San Diego to Washington.  Another plant you will have seen when strolling through Oak woodland or under the Umbellularia in the Bay Area- it's one of our more common local native ferns.  Quite drought tolerant, it adds a light green accent when planted with other shade lovers like Columbine, Hound's Toungue, and Redwood Sorrel. This fern spreads very slowly, and is evergreen, though it has a delightfully seasonal look, fading to a deep russet color in late fall.  You may want to trim old fronds occasionally to keep it looking tidy.