Virginia Chain Fern – Woodwardia Virginica
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By Harold Sink
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Many gardens look good with ferns filling in blank spots here and there. Just make sure those blank spots are not too small. The Virginia Chain Fern is no exception to this rule. As most ferns do not need much direct light, this particular fern can be planted in full shade as well.
Another thing to think about is the average temperature in your area. Ferns tend to like cool air, and tend to wither with soaring heat. You could have your fern in a shaded area, but if the temperature tends to rise over 73 degrees quite often you may want to plant something more heat tolerant.
A humus rich soil with peat moss mixed in will allow for good drainage since ferns tend to get water bound with too much water. Although, the soil does need to be moist for this Virginian fern. Having a soaker hose set up on a timer would be an ideal situation for any plant that needs moist soil.
What sets the Virginia Chain fern apart from some of the other ferns is that it can tolerate growing near a body of water. Therefore, if you are looking for greenery in a partial to fully shaded area this fern would work out well.
The purple growth becomes green as each frond matures with several leaves mirroring each other. Each leaf also has its own set of leaves on them, too. This fern grows from a crown much like a bulb.
Make certain you don’t mind this fern growing over other plants as it can get up to three feet high, and spread out to nearly four feet in diameter. If the soil is not properly amended or the plant seems stunted, it may only grow up to two feet in diameter.
Most ferns, but not all, tend to have a root system that will grow out like cactus roots. In addition, they will sprout up elsewhere where you may not want them. The Virginia Chain fern will do this. Keep a watchful eye on this fern.
Familiarity with the zone you live in will determine if you can even grow this plant. A quick call to your local garden nursery will help in finding out if you can grow the Virginia Chain fern.
This is also a good plant to grow indoors or outdoors in large pots. Just be prepared to sweep or vacuum up leaves as it knows when the winter season approaches. Should you grow this fern indoors make certain you feed the plant once a month.
The best way to protect these ferns is to use dry cedar or redwood mulch. Red tinted mulch does not count as redwood mulch. These two particular mulches are more apt to stand up to termites as long as they stay dry.
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Author Bio Box: Harold Sink
 Better Homes and Gardens Step-By-Step Successful Gardening; Shade Gardens,
The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants,
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/fern/woovir/all.html
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