About
A semi-evergreen fern to 90cm tall forming a rosette of upright to slightly arching fronds heavily crested at the tips of the leaflets.
About the genus
Dryopteris can be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen ferns, with stout, erect or decumbent rhizomes and shuttlecock-like rosettes of lance-shaped to ovate, pinnately divided fronds
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites and will grow in sunny situation if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningDead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
PropagationPropagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free outdoors
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free outdoors