Dryopteris dilatata
Approx. 0.5 litre pot
About this cultivar:
Dryopteris dilatata is often called the broad buckler-fern and is native to Europe, particularly western and central Europe. The Latin specific epithet dilatata means 'spread out' in reference to the fronds. The wide-spreading, finely-cut, triangular fronds rise upward and outward from its central crown. Pinnate, wide-spreading, deep green fronds are triangular when young, but mature to oval or lanceolate (Lance like). The frond midribs and stalks are covered with dark brown scales.
Reminds me of an umbrella or some kind of shelter..
Has the RHS AGM. Like other big ferns, why not experiment with pots?
- Position: Full shade, partial shade
- Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
- Flowers: -
- Other features: Grows well in Ballyrobert, Woodland Plant, Dappled Shade or Full Shade Loving, Interesting Foliage or Fruit, Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (RHS AGM)
- Hardiness: H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15°C), Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Habit: Tufted, Clump forming
- Foliage: Semi evergreen
- Height: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
- Spread: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
- Time to full growth: 5 to 10 years
- Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, fern
- Colour: Green
- Goes well with: Shade
About this genus:
Dryopteris is a fern genus of 225 species from around the world that give us the majority of our great garden ferns. The genus name comes from the Greek words drys (tree) and pteris (fern) in possible reference to this fern's typical habitat in woodland areas. It is a good idea to put Dryopteris (male ferns) near Athyriums (lady ferns) for reasons that (I hope) are obvious.
Dryopteris species come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most gardeners assume that all ferns are green but Dryopteris species have variation in that regard - which ironically makes many people think they a dying or drying out! - once a week I have a customer telling me they need watered! The new growth on some species may be copper or cinnamon or even black.
Like most garden ferns, Dryopteris plants prefer light shade, almost full shade. Soil wise - anything that isn't too extreme. How to use them? Well... try shady areas!
