Woodwardia virginica

Common Names

Virginia Chainfern, Virginia Chain Fern, Chain Fern

Summary

Woodwardia virginica, commonly known as Virginia chainfern, is a deciduous fern in the Blechnaceae native to eastern North America. It forms tall, long-creeping clumps from a fast-growing rhizome and typically reaches about 2–3 feet in height with a 3–6 feet spread; fronds emerge coppery red and mature to lustrous dark green, bronze in fall, while pinnae are deeply pinnatifid and leathery. Sori are long, linear, and often confluent, giving a chain-like pattern on the undersides. It inhabits swamps, marshes, bogs, and roadside ditches on noncalcareous substrates, preferring moist to wet, acidic soils and light to partial shade; it can spread aggressively by rhizomes and spores and tolerates wet conditions but not prolonged flooding, nor salt. It is hardy in USDA zones 4a–10b and may be deer resistant; propagation is by spores or rhizome division, and it suits pond edges, water gardens, and woodland or bog gardens in landscaping, requiring minimal maintenance beyond removing old fronds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-3 feet

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade; Partial Sun and Full Sun are possible in suitable locations.

Soil Type

Acidic, moist to wet soil with high organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist to wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral.

Bloom Time

Does not bloom

Foliage Color

Green, coppery red on emergence, bronze in fall

Fall Foliage Color

Bronze

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Spores, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts small mammals and songbirds