Plant DetailShow Menu

Dryopteris wallichiana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
dry-OP-ter-iss wal-ik-ee-AY-nah
Description

Wallich's Wood Fern is a deciduous to semi-evergreen fern native to Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica. It grows up to 4 feet tall in a vase shape around a central crown. The pale green fronds contrast nicely with the dark brown scaly ribs. Genus name from the Greek dryas meaning oak and pteris meaning fern in reference to the presence of some species of wood ferns growing in oak forests.

Plant in moist well-drained soils in partial shade to full shade. For a fern, it is fairly drought tolerant once established. Mulch to help retain moisture. Divide every few years when crowded. Use in a border, under shrubs or as a shady site groundcover.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

More information on Dryopteris.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#mass planting#deer resistant#understory planting#partial shade tolerant#ponds#streams#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#mass planting#deer resistant#understory planting#partial shade tolerant#ponds#streams#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dryopteris
    Species:
    wallichiana
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Himalayas, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Blade is pinnate-pinnatified and oblong-lance shaped, leathery, lustrous and dark green; segments are oblong and squarish at tip; stipe is one fourth or less of the frond length; densely clothed with reddish black scales.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Hair-like scaly brown stems unfurl to produce the leaves
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits