About
Dryopteris cristata, the crested buckler fern, is a semi-evergreen shield fern with a distinctive, two-tier structure: erect, fertile fronds with widely spaced, horizontal pinnae rise above shorter, arching, evergreen sterile fronds. A charming and unusual fern for a permanently moist, shaded border or bog garden.
About the genus
Dryopteris, the shield ferns, are deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen ferns forming shuttlecock-like rosettes of lance-shaped to broadly triangular, pinnately divided fronds on stout rhizomes. They range from compact rock garden species to large, architectural woodland ferns and are among the most useful and adaptable of all garden ferns.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Clay
Soil pHNeutral, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFerns, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toTemp. N. Hemisphere
Care notes
CultivationBest grown in moist (but not waterlogged) neutral or acid soils in partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division or spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free