About
This sturdy semi-evergreen fern forming a mass of rosettes of arching, lance-shaped, bipinnatifid fronds with large branched terminal crests and small crests at the tips of the pinnae.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade with shelter; tolerant of more sun and wind than other species. 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
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free but moth larvae may feed on spores