Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Bronze Yellow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Gold | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Trade
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. See how to grow ferns for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe, or by division in the spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- 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
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.