Woodwardia orientalis var. formosana

RHS Plant Profile
Taiwanese oriental chain fern

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Taiwanese oriental chain fern RHS
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A vigorous fern with an arching habit forming a plant up to 3m wide. Individual bipinnately-divided fronds can reach up to 2m in length; young fronds vary in colour but often emerge orange-red before maturing to a glossy green; many tiny plantlets are produced on the upper surfaces of the fronds

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
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
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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
Plant Range
China, Japan, Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in neutral, moderately fertile, damp soil in partial shade; in frost prone areas shelter from cold, drying winds and protect in winter with a dry mulch. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by spores; sow spores at 16°C in late summer or early autumn. Remove plantlets in autumn or divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down old fronds when they deteriorate

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free