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FernsHerbaceous Perennial

Cheilanthes eatonii

Eaton's lip fern

An evergreen fern with pale green fronds, covered in fine white or creamy hairs. Fronds yet to unfurl often have a curled or contorted appearance and may be tan coloured

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–facing or South–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: Pteridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Cheilanthes are typically evergreen ferns, producing dense clumps of small fronds on shiny, often black, stalks
Name status: Correct
Plant range: C & S USA, Mex.

How to grow

Cultivation

This is a dryland fern so unlike most other ferns it prefers a well drained soil, especially over winter. Can tolerate partial shade or sun. Good choice for container cultivation. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Rock garden
Patio and container plants
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Wall side borders
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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