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Ferns

Dryopteris varia

Japanese holly fern

A clump-forming, semi-evergreen fern with triangular shaped fronds, wide at the base and narrowing to the tip. New fronds in spring have a bronze tint to the foliage which turns green-grey as it matures

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Clay

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–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: Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
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
Name status: Correct
Plant range: China to Malesia, Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most moist but free draining soil in shade or partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required, but old or faded fronds can be removed as needed

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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