About
A vigorous fern with an arching habit forming a plant up to 3m wide. Individual bipinnately-divided fronds can reach up to 2m in length; young fronds vary in colour but often emerge orange-red before maturing to a glossy green; many tiny plantlets are produced on the upper surfaces of the fronds.
About the genus
Woodwardia are robust rhizomatous ferns with deciduous or evergreen, pinnate to bipinnate fronds, bearing spores in chain-like lines on the undersides
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden
Native toChina, Japan, Taiwan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in neutral, moderately fertile, damp soil in partial shade; in frost prone areas shelter from cold, drying winds and protect in winter with a dry mulch. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningCut down old fronds when they deteriorate
PropagationPropagate by spores; sow spores at 16°C in late summer or early autumn. Remove plantlets in autumn or divide in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free