SIEBOLD’S WOOD FERN

Dryopteris sieboldii – This is a most unusual fern with magnificent and oddly shaped fronds that mark it out as quite distinct from any other Dryopteris. The leaves have a leathery quality with 2-5 pairs of broad pinnae and a long pointed terminal pinnule. The vegetative fronds are arching, the fertile ones more erect with slightly narrower pinnae and with sori toward the margins The sori are scattered thickly but unevenly, orange-brown becoming black, contrasting with the leathery, rather glaucous blade. A very handsome plant.

SUBSTRATE & WATERING

Grows in moist to moist-wet garden soil or potting mix

This is a unique drought-tolerant addition for the shady garden

Dryopteris sieboldii requires adequate moisture and a sheltered position as it is not bone-hardy in every winter (covering the crown would help greatly in very cold winters). In a choice position it can remain evergreen, but it will become deciduous as a protective measure against the cold. Use the old fronds as protection for the crown. It is slow to bulk up and propagate but well worth the wait. Fronds eventually get 20-50 by 20-35 cm. and the rhizome will gradually creep.

The leaves are a bluish-green, and look lovely with glaucous hostas

Because the plant is not made up of many leaves, it will show nicely in a stylized Japanese garden.

Available soon in our webshop.

Richard Hayward

The plant hunter

Richard Hayward, a famous British fern collector, has enjoyed ferns ever since he encountered them as a boy scout in South Wales and took them to London as souvenirs. After his retirement he owned a small fern farm in North Wales. He still exchanges spores and plants of rare species with other fern enthusiasts.

"I love ferns because of their diversity in shape, foliage, colour and beauty and their enormous urge to survive."

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