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FernsHerbaceous Perennial

Dryopteris formosana

Formosan wood fern

A clump forming, evergreen fern with yellow-green new growth, darkening with age. Fronds are triangular-shaped and the two lowest pinnnae have elongated leaflets that point downwards.

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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

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or West–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 the UK: No
Foliage: 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

Best grown in partial shade. Can tolerate dry or free draining soils when established.

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Generally not required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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