About
A deciduous or semi-evergreen fern, forming tufts of erect, lance-shaped, bipinnatifid fronds, bright yellowish-green when young, clothed with blackish-brown scales on the stalk and midrib.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitTufted
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toSE Asia, C & S America, Turkey, Madagascar
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well
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