About
An upright, clump-forming, semi-evergreen to evergreen fern with erect to arching, glossy, triangular, mid- to dark green fronds divided into pointed, lance-shaped, deeply lobed leaflets or 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, Chalk
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen, Evergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrows in reasonably fertile, humus-rich, moist, soil in partial to full shade. Best with protection from strong wind. For more information see our advice page how to grow ferns
PruningRemove any dead or damaged fronds as required.
PropagationPropagate by division or spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free