Gymnocarpium dryopteris

RHS Plant Profile

oak fern

RHS

Synonyms

Polypodium dryopteris
Dryopteris linnaeana

Ferns

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A deciduous fern to 30cm tall, forming extensive colonies of bright green, triangular, 2 to 3-pinnate fronds 10-20cm long and wide

Position

Full shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

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

Position

Full 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: Woodsiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Gymnocarpium are small deciduous ferns with a slender creeping rhizome, and much-divided, triangular to ovate fronds
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temp. N. Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a neutral to acid, leafy, moist soil, enriched with garden compost, in deep shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Sow spores at 15°C (59°F) when ripe or divide in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover

Pruning

Cut back in autumn as fronds fade

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free