Dryopteris wallichiana
Wallich's Wood Fern, Alpine Wood Fern
From £5.96
Providing valuable architectural form in the spring garden with its vase shaped crown, this spectacular and hardy fern is evergreen in most of the UK.
The emerging fiddleheads are covered in fine red hair like scales, appearing gold-green as they unfurl and maturing to a dark-green once it’s established. Up close this fern also proves to be mesmerising, with the dark brown to black rachis (stem) contrasting with the finely dissected green pinnae.
Plant Biography
Native to tropical and sub-tropical Americas, Turkey to sub-tropical Asia, Hawaiian islands and Gough Island, the roots have been recorded as having been used as traditional medicine across the pan-tropical regions to remove parasites.
In the UK, Dryopteris wallichiana is brilliant choice of fern for a shaded/part-shaded area of the garden to create dramatic architectural shapes and provide a lot of texture, both during and after the fronds unfurling.
Individual fronds emerge lanceolate in shape, a morphological term meaning pointed like a lance. In maturity these retain a sturdy form from the stalk to the tip of the pinna, giving each frond its iconic straight, outward reaching form.
Expert Tip
Care & Size Guidance
Keep in an area of shade/part shade in the garden, in moisture retentive humus rich soil.
This fern is evergreen in most of the UK, though it is deciduous in colder climates.
Couldn’t be happier with what I received, thank you!
Katie W. –
Plants arrived early, well packaged up and in excellent condition. Many thanks.
Greg M. –