About
Dryopteris dilatata, the broad buckler fern, is a robust, semi-evergreen shield fern forming large rosettes of broadly triangular, bipinnate to tripinnate, rich-green fronds with dark, scaly, reddish-brown stalks. One of the most common and reliable of all woodland ferns, naturalising freely and providing excellent ground cover in shade.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toEurope except extreme S, E to C Russia
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites and will grow in full sun 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