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Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Oak fern)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.25m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Other names
Oak fern, Western oak fern, Northern oak fern, Common oak fern, Gymnocarpium dysjunctum, Currania dryopteris
Genus
Gymnocarpium Gymnocarpium
Species
G. dryopteris - G. dryopteris is a low-growing, spreading, deciduous fern with triangular, 3-pinnate fronds, each segment (pinnae) is triangular and divided into oblong to ovate, toothed, scalloped segments. Fronds are light to yellow-green when young, turning dark green with age.
Gymnocarpium dryopteris is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Foliage
Yellow-green in Spring; Light green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
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Where to grow
Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Oak fern) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Rock, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in preferably neutral to acid, leafy, moist soil in full or partial shade. Enrich soil with garden compost prior to planting. Mulch in leaf mould in spring.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but 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
Botanical name
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Other names
Oak fern, Western oak fern, Northern oak fern, Common oak fern, Gymnocarpium dysjunctum, Currania dryopteris
Genus
Gymnocarpium Gymnocarpium
Species
G. dryopteris - G. dryopteris is a low-growing, spreading, deciduous fern with triangular, 3-pinnate fronds, each segment (pinnae) is triangular and divided into oblong to ovate, toothed, scalloped segments. Fronds are light to yellow-green when young, turning dark green with age.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Foliage
Yellow-green in Spring; Light green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Oak fern) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Rock, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in preferably neutral to acid, leafy, moist soil in full or partial shade. Enrich soil with garden compost prior to planting. Mulch in leaf mould in spring.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but 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, Zone 4, Zone 3
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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 | 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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