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Dryopteris wallichiana

alpine wood fern

A deciduous or semi-evergreen fern, forming tufts of erect, lance-shaped, bipinnatifid fronds, bright yellowish-green when young, clothed with blackish-brown scales on the stalk and midrib

Synonyms
Aspidium parallelogramma
Aspidium wallichianum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Tufted
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
SE Asia, C & S America, Turkey, Madagascar

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well

Propagation

Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free outdoors

Diseases

Generally disease-free outdoors

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