Golden-scaled Male Fern Dryopteris abbreviata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dryopteris affinis
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss af-FYE-niss
- Description
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The award-winning Dryopteris abbreviata is a semi-evergreen to evergreen (in milder climates) fern that is easy to cultivate. This robust fern sits erect, forming a rosette of finely cut arching fronds originating at a stout rhizome.
Although ferns like shade, with adequate moisture it can tolerate a fair amount of sun. Once established, it is a drought tolerant specimen.
It is virtually a pest and disease free choice for your shady garden.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cristata'
Frilly frond tips - 'Stableri'
- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cambrensis', 'Cristata', 'Stableri'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cristata'
Frilly frond tips - 'Stableri'
- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cambrensis', 'Cristata', 'Stableri'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- abbreviata
- Family:
- Dryopteridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Asia
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy Shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer and rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped blade; pinnate-pinnatified; leathery; small, dark spot at base of each pinna; pinnae are layered up the frond like stair steps; stipes and rachises are shaggy with golden brown scales
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Near Septic
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
