About
Polypodium scouleri, the leathery polypody, is a spreading, evergreen fern producing broadly oval to triangular, thick, glossy, dark-green fronds to around 30 cm tall but spreading to form a clump over 1 m wide in ideal conditions. A rewarding and architectural fern for a shaded, sheltered, moist position.
About the genus
Polypodium, the polypodies, are mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen ferns with creeping rhizomes and simple, deeply pinnatifid or pinnate, leathery fronds. Grown in shaded, moist, sheltered positions in borders, walls and on tree stumps.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitMatforming, Clump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Native toWestern N America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a reasonably fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds and protect with a dry winter mulch such as straw or lift and overwinter in a cool greenhouse. See how to grow tender ferns outdoors for further advice
PruningRemove any dying fronds as necessary.
PropagationPropagate by division or spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free