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Dryopteris cycadina (Shaggy shield fern)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.75m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Dryopteris cycadina
Other names
Shaggy shield fern, Black wood fern, Dryopteris hirtipes, Dryopteris atrata, misapplied
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
Flushed black, Blue-green 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
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
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 hirtipes, Dryopteris atrata, misapplied
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.
Native to
China, Japan
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Foliage
Flushed black, Blue-green 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
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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
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
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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: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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