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
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
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.