About
A semi-evergreen to evergreen fern with bluish-green fronds forming a rosette of erect or arching, broadly triangular-ovate, dark green, tripinnate fronds, the segments strongly toothed.
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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Clay
Soil pHNeutral, Acid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well while plant establishes. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningNo pruning required. Can remove any faded fronds if needed.
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free