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Ferns

Polypodium scouleri

leathery polypody

A slightly tender, spreading, evergreen fern with broadly ovate to triangular, leathery, thick, glossy, dark green fronds. Only grows to around 30cm in height but can spread to form a clump over 1 metre wide, in ideal conditions

Other common names

coast polypody

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Chalk

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained, Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Polypodiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming, Clump forming
Genus: Polypodium can be evergreen or deciduous ferns, with creeping rhizomes bearing simple or pinnate fronds at intervals
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Western N America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow 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

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Ground cover
Flower borders and beds
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Remove any dying fronds as necessary.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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