Broad Wood Fern Dryopteris dilatata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss dy-lah-TAY-tah
- Description
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Broad Wood Fern is a vigorous deciduous to semi-evergreen fern native to western and central Europe. The attractive finely-cut fronds grow upright and outward from the crown. It generally grows 2-3 feet tall with a similar spread.
Genus name from Greek dryas meaning oak and pteris meaning fern in reference to growing in woods of oak trees
Grow this fern in consistently moist rich soils in dappled shade and do not allow it to dry out. Use in a woodland or naturalized setting, as a foundation plant or shade garden. Tolerates full shade to partial sun.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Rust, leaf gall and fungal spots can occur.
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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- Crispa Whiteside
Frilly frond tips - Jimmy Dyce
- Crispa Whiteside
- Crispa Whiteside, Jimmy Dyce
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Crispa Whiteside
Frilly frond tips - Jimmy Dyce
- Crispa Whiteside
- Crispa Whiteside, Jimmy Dyce
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- dilatata
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Asia
- Distribution:
- Central and Western Europe, northern asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- 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)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- 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:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Broadly triangular fronds; 2-3 times divided; margins often turn under; basal pinnae are much longer on the basiscopic side; blade is deep, rich green; thin-textured. Frond midribs and stalks are covered with dark brown scales.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stalks are covered in brown scales
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
