About
A semi-evergreen fern to 60cm high, producing a shuttlecock of stiff, pale green bipinnate fronds maturing to dark green, with dense, crinkled leaflets.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites. Prefers humus-rich soil. 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, though plants grown from spores may vary. Propagate by division of mature plants in spring or autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free