Largest fern for zone 4/5

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garyt Presque Isle, MI(Zone 5a) Jul 03, 2006

What is the largest fern that will grow in zone4/5?

Thanks

Gary

Post #2463131
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Shadyfolks Chesterland, OH(Zone 5b) Jul 08, 2006

For me
Matteuccia struthiopteris(Ostrich fern) grows 5' fall
Dryopteris goldiana (Goldies wood fern) 3 1/2' tall and almost as broad
Dryopteris x australis (Dixie fern) can get pretty tall too ~4'
Dryopteris coreano-montana can get sizable too.

Post #2483072
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GardenGeek_WI Central, WI(Zone 4a) Jul 24, 2006

Shady,

Are the ferns you mentioned clumping or do they send out runners?

Thanks,
Kelly

Post #2541640
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Shadyfolks Chesterland, OH(Zone 5b) Jul 24, 2006

Kelly,
Ostrich fern, Mateuccia Struthiopteris, is a runner (stolens) if it is happy it will fill an area. We have an area that we put in18 plants, maybe 10 years ago. For a number of years my DH said I should thin them out, I didn't want to. But more recently I think he was right, the last few years I have taken 10 or plants out each year. Last year I took out 30! It seems to me that they get to crowded and then you can't appreciate their vase shape habit. All The Dryopteris mentioned above I believe to be clumping, they have not spread for me.

Post #2543037
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GardenGeek_WI Central, WI(Zone 4a) Jul 25, 2006

Shady,

Thanks for the info. Maybe that fern is the one that took over the bed,,LOL I moved them to the shady side of the garage and they don't do as well there, but they are starting to fill in.

Post #2544683
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