Overview
Dryopteris wallichiana is a tufted ferns in the genus Dryopteris, part of the Dryopteridaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Dryopteris wallichiana grows best in full shade and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, underplanting of roses and shrubs and flower borders and beds. It is native to SFF Iguaque | Parque Nacional Natural Cocuy | Parque Nacional Natural Complejo Volcanico Doña Juana - Cascabel | Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza | Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua, Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Cesar, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Tolima and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá.
About
Dryopteris wallichiana, the alpine wood fern, is a robust species of deciduous or semi-evergreen fern in the family Dryopteridaceae, native to the Himalayas, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica. It grows to 90 cm (35 in) tall, occasionally 180 cm (71 in) by 75 cm (30 in) wide, with pale green tripinnate fronds, strongly contrasting with the dark brown ribs. A popular plant in cultivation, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Mature plants reach roughly 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying semi evergreen foliage. In the garden it prefers full shade and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing, north-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dryopteris wallichiana
About the genus
Dryopteris, commonly called the wood ferns, male ferns, or buckler ferns, is a fern genus in the family Dryopteridaceae, subfamily Dryopteridoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). There are about 300-400 species in the genus. The species are distributed in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific islands, with the highest diversity in eastern Asia.
Wikipedia contributors, "Dryopteris", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Dryopteris
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Dryopteris
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Dryopteris wallichiana size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Ferns
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- SFF Iguaque | Parque Nacional Natural Cocuy | Parque Nacional Natural Complejo Volcanico Doña Juana - Cascabel | Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza | Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua, Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Cesar, Cundinamarca, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Tolima, Jardín Botánico de Bogotá
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Dryopteris wallichiana
- Propagation
- Division, Spores
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Dryopteris wallichiana?
Dryopteris wallichiana prefers full shade and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Dryopteris wallichiana need?
Dryopteris wallichiana is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How big does Dryopteris wallichiana grow?
Dryopteris wallichiana reaches a height of 0.5-1 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 5-10 years to reach full size.
Is Dryopteris wallichiana hardy in the UK?
Dryopteris wallichiana has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Dryopteris wallichiana?
Division, Spores.
