A large group of hardy, deciduous or semi-evergreen, medium to large ferns. Suitable for shade or sun. There are several good species native to Britain, which all make good, easy to grow outdoor foliage plants.
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Botanical Name: Dryopteris
Common Names: Wood fern, buckler fern,
basket fern, shield fern, male fern.
Foliage: Deciduous or semi-evergreen, shuttlecock-like rosettes of lance-shaped, pinnately divided fronds.
Soil: Moist but well-drained or poorly drained, fertile soil (clay, sand or loam). Acid, alkaline or neutral pH.
Conditions: Sun, partial shade or full shade. Can be planted in any aspect.
Habit: Tufted, upright or arching.
Type: Perennial.
Origin: Northern hemisphere.
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK.
Plant in early to mid spring or autumn. Grow in any good, humus-rich, moist garden soil. Suitable for light or deep shade. Dryopteris will also grow in full sun if the soil is kept moist. Ideal under deciduous trees and leafy woodland.
Most species are tolerant of dry shade once established.
In mild areas the fronds may remain evergreen. In cooler regions the fronds turn rusty brown during frosty weather, before eventually withering and dying down.
Remove dead or damaged fronds as required. Cut down the faded fronds to ground level in autumn.
Generally trouble free but can be affected by rust disease.
Divide and replant in spring. Alternatively sow spores as soon as ripe.
Dryopteris Affinis (golden shield fern) can grow its fronds up to 39in (1m) tall. Bright yellow-green when they are young, maturing to a deeper, rich green. Makes a good houseplant. For sale at Thompson & Morgan.
Dryopteris cristata (crested buckler fern) with arching and spreading fronds, pale or yellow green in colour. Thrives in boggy wet ground. Height and spread to 2ft (60cm). For sale at Crocus.
Dryopteris dilatata (broad buckler fern) produces deciduous, elegant, arching fronds with a broad triangular shape. Height to 4ft (1.2m), spread 2ft (60cm).
Dryopteris erythrosora (Japanese buckler fern or Japanese shield fern) is an attractive foliage plant with broad triangular fronds. Pink and coppery when young, maturing to pale green. Not fully hardy but evergreen if grown under glass. Height to 3ft (90cm). For sale at Suttons
Dryopteris filix-mas (male fern) a robust semi-evergreen species, with pale green shuttlecock-like fronds on brownish stems. Tolerates dry poor soils, sunny positions as well as deep shade. Height 2 to 3ft (60 to 90cm) or more. Makes an excellent ground cover plant where little else will grow. For sale at Crocus.
Dryopteris goldieana (goldie's fern) an attractive clump-forming fern with large light fronds. The fresh growth is covered in attractive light brown scales. For sale at Crocus.
Dryopteris marginalis a tall with evergreen with shiny, bluish-green, fronds. Height to 18in (45cm).
Dryopteris pseudo-mas (golden-sealed male fern) is a semi-evergreen fern with large, arching fronds that are golden-green when young, maturing to rich green with scaly golden stems. Tolerates dry soil. Height to 4ft (1.2m).
Dryopteris wallichiana 'Jurassic Gold' a striking new British bred fern. The new fronds emerge in rose-bronze shades in spring, maturing to bright golden yellow and green as the summer progresses. For sale at Thompson & Morgan.