Dryopteris wallichiana
Approx. 0.5 litre pot
About this cultivar:
Dryopteris wallichiana is considered one of the most beautiful garden ferns, It has narrow, dark, glossy black green foliage, making a spectacular giant clump. Though sometimes called the "Himalayan Fern" (probably for the origin of the usual cultivated strain) it is vastly more widely distributed than that, in India, China, Japan, Mexico, South America, Africa, Madagascar, the South Seas & Hawaii. The semi-evergreen clump rarely forms offsets, so it is best used as a dramatic accent plant in the woodland garden. It gets its name from Nathaniel Wallich (1786–1854), Danish botanist, author, and Curator of Calcutta Botanic Garden.
- 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
- Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Habit: Tufted, Clump forming
- Foliage: Evergreen
- Height: 90 - 120 cm (3 - 4 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!
