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Herbaceous Perennial

Dryopteris ludoviciana

southern wood fern

An upright, clump-forming, semi-evergreen to evergreen fern with erect to arching, glossy, triangular, mid- to dark green fronds divided into pointed, lance-shaped, deeply lobed leaflets or pinnae.

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Chalk

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–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: Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen or 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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows in reasonably fertile, humus-rich, moist, soil in partial to full shade. Best with protection from strong wind. For more information see our advice page how to grow ferns

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Remove any dead or damaged fronds as required.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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