Cheilanthes tomentosa (Woolly lip fern)

Botanical name

Cheilanthes tomentosa

Other names

Myriopteris tomentosa, Wooly lip fern, Woolly lip fern, Cheilanthes bradburii, Notholaena tomentosa, Allosorus tomentosus, Woolly lipfern

Genus

Cheilanthes Cheilanthes

Species

C. tomentosa - C. tomentosa is a low-growing, rhizomatous, evergreen fern with lance-shaped, pinnatifid fronds of rounded, grey-green segments with silvery scales beneath and purple-black, hairy stalks.

Native to

Southern United States

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Insignificant or absent in All seasons

Foliage

Grey-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific diseases

Root rot

General care

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.

Propagation

Division is likely to be less successful than sowing spores since the rhizomes resent disturbance.

Propagation methods

Division, Spores

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Cheilanthes tomentosa (Woolly lip fern) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.45m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Drought Tolerant, Foliage only, Greenhouse, Rock

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, gritty, humus-rich soil in full sun. Protect from winter wet. Under glass, grow in equal parts loam, charcoal & limestone chippings in full light with low humidity. Water sparingly and feed at half strength monthly.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6