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FernsHerbaceous Perennial

Dryopteris oreades

mountain male fern

A semi-evergreen, clump-forming fern with an upright to arching habit to 40 to 80cm in height and spread. The mid-green, grey-green leaves are divided into many smaller leaflets, giving a feathery appearance

Synonyms

Dryopteris abbreviata

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
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)

Botanical details

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Semi 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 well in most moist but free draining soil in shade or partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required, but can remove and dead or damaged fronds as required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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