Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full shade, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, north facing, west facing
Position in border:
Front, middle

Soil

Clay / Heavy / Moist

Dryopteris affinis is a magnificent garden fern, bearing a shuttlecock of long, upright, pale green fronds with contrasting brown, scaley stems in spring. In mild winters it will stay green, but in cold, exposed positions it's more likely to be deciduous.

Despite needing shade to thrive, Dryopteris affinis happily tolerates several hours of sun each day, and is more wind-resistant than most ferns. It's a great choice for damp, shady parts of the garden, where it has terrific presence, contrasting well with low groundcover plants. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Divideyes

Dryopteris and wildlife

Dryopteris has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Dryopteris poisonous?

Dryopteris has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Dryopteris affinis
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