Woodwardia prolifera

RHS Plant Profile
proliferous chain fern

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A clump-forming, evergreen to semi-evergreen fern with fronds that can reach up to 2m long on mature specimens and the frond leaflets (pinnae) are characteristically narrow. The young fronds vary in colour, sometimes green but often very intensely coloured carmine or orange. In late summer and early autumn small plantlets can often be seen on the mature frond upper surfaces.

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral 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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Blechnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen, Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Spreading branched
Genus
Woodwardia are robust rhizomatous ferns with deciduous or evergreen, pinnate to bipinnate fronds, bearing spores in chain-like lines on the undersides
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in a sheltered position in moist but free draining soil in partial shade. Grown outside in the UK this fern may require some additional winter protection and will benefit from some mulching. For further general information see advice on how to grow ferns.

Propagation

Propagate by division or by using plantlets formed on the frond surface.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required, but remove any faded fronds as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free