Broad Buckler Fern

The Broad Buckler Fern, Dryopteris dilatata, is a common and robust evergreen to semi-evergreen fern native to the UK, valued for its bold texture and resilient nature. It forms a large, impressive clump of broadly triangular, dark green fronds that are tripinnate, giving them a very intricate, lacy appearance. The fronds can reach up to 90-120cm in length, creating a dense, shuttlecock-like rosette. This highly adaptable fern thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic soil, but is tolerant of a range of conditions. It is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or naturalising in damp areas, providing year-round evergreen presence and significant architectural interest to the shadier parts of the garden.

Sun: Partial shade to full shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich, acidic.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.