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Dryopteris cycadina (Shaggy shield fern)

Beginner
skill rating
1 hour care
per year
0.75m
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Dryopteris cycadina

Other names

Shaggy shield fern, Black wood fern, Dryopteris atrata, Dryopteris hirtipes

Genus

Dryopteris Dryopteris

Species

D. cycadina - D. cycadina is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen fern with black-scaly stems and erect to arching, bright green fronds with darker green mid-ribs.


Dryopteris cycadina is: Semi evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Foliage

Blue-green, Flushed black in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn; Bright-green in Winter

How to care

Watch out for

General care

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds when needed.

Propagation methods

Division, Spores

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Where to grow

Dryopteris cycadina (Shaggy shield fern) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only

Cultivation

Plant in moist, humus-rich soil in a partially shaded, sheltered site. May be deciduous in cold areas, fully evergreen in areas with warm winters.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Shade, Partial Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

Companion plants

We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.

Botanical name

Dryopteris cycadina

Other names

Shaggy shield fern, Black wood fern, Dryopteris atrata, Dryopteris hirtipes

Genus

Dryopteris Dryopteris

Species

D. cycadina - D. cycadina is a clump-forming, semi-evergreen fern with black-scaly stems and erect to arching, bright green fronds with darker green mid-ribs.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Foliage

Blue-green, Flushed black in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn; Bright-green in Winter

General care

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds when needed.

Propagation methods

Division, Spores

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Dryopteris cycadina (Shaggy shield fern) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only

Cultivation

Plant in moist, humus-rich soil in a partially shaded, sheltered site. May be deciduous in cold areas, fully evergreen in areas with warm winters.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Shade, Partial Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

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This plant likes... Garden match
Soil types: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) Tell us...
Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained Tell us...
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral Tell us...
Light: Full Shade, Partial Shade Tell us...
Aspect: North, South, East, West Tell us...
Exposure: Sheltered Tell us...
Hardiness: Hardy (H4) Tell us...

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