Western Sword Fern, Sword Fern, Western Swordfern

Many references say this species isn't suited to eastern N. America. This species has naturalized in Pennsylvania, according to BONAP, so...Read More it clearly is adaptable to northeastern conditions.

The New England Wildflower Society has found that, at the Garden in the Woods (Framingham, MA Z6a), this species grows well until it gets set back badly by a cold winter. I suspect that the forms in cultivation aren't hardy here because they come from low elevations west of the Cascades.

Plants of this species vary considerably in their hardiness depending on provenance. I'd like to try growing some descendants of the Montana ecotype.

A mainstay of dry shady parts of the garden in the Pacific Northwest. Looks great year round.

Good solid native plant. A staple to our local forests. attractive foliage and hardy nature.

Have found the best aestheti...Read Morec value achieved when you remove all mature fronds every year to every two years right before the surge of new fronds in the spring. The plant has no problem with the lose of fronds and it keeps the stand looking fresh and healthy.

This fern is native to British Columbia, Canada, the USA (Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Was...Read Morehington), and Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Commonly available in nurseries locally.