Introducing...
Evergreen and semi-evergreen Dryopteris
Botanical name: Dryopteris
Common name: Wood fern, buckler fern, male fern
Evergreen and semi-evergreen ferns help bring form, shape and texture to shady garden areas all year round. Some Dryopteris are evergreen and keep their foliage all year round. Many Dryopteris are semi-evergreen (or wintergreen), which means they keep most foliage, especially in warmer areas.
Looks
Finely divided or feathery foliage emerges from unfurling fronds in spring to form a shuttlecock-like shape. Foliage comes in many shades of green with some species, such as Dryopteris erythrosora, also showing seasonal colour.
Likes
These ferns like moist soil in shade and so appreciate yearly applications of organic material such as garden compost as a mulch for the first few years after planting. Once established, they can tolerate drier soil.
Dislikes
Full sun in summer can scorch the leaves of these plants. An open site exposed to strong winds (especially if frost-laden) can damage young growth. Some species can be more tolerant of sun and exposure. Dislikes very dry soils while establishing.
Did you know?
Ferns grow from spores, not seeds. Various shaped swellings (sori) containing the spores can be seen on the undersides of fronds. With a bit of practice and patience new plants can be grown from the spores.
Growing guide
How to grow Dryopteris
All the information you will need to grow and care for Dryopteris in your garden.
Dryopteris wallichiana
alpine wood fern
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis'
scaly male fern 'Crispa Gracillis'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Dryopteris cycadina
shaggy shield fern
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Dryopteris wallichiana
alpine wood fern
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis'
scaly male fern 'Crispa Gracillis'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Dryopteris cycadina
shaggy shield fern
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Related Advice
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Shade gardening
Shade planting: annuals, bulbs and perennials
Shade planting: shrubs
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