About
A sturdy evergreen fern with arching, ovate, bipinnately divided fronds to 1.5m long, bearing bulbils on the underside towards the tips.
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 pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toMacaronesia, Mediterranean
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
PruningCut down old fronds when they deteriorate
PropagationPropagate by spores, sow spores at 16°C (61°F) in late summer or early autumn; remove bulbils in autumn or divide in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free