Dryopteris ludoviciana

RHS Plant Profile

southern wood fern

Herbaceous Perennial

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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.

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen, 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