Create Your Garden

Dryopteris wallichiana (Alpine Wood Fern)

Alpine Wood Fern, Wallich's Wood Fern, Aspidium parallelogramma, Aspidium wallichianum

AGM Award
Dryopteris wallichiana, Alpine Wood Fern, Wallich's Wood Fern, Aspidium parallelogramma, Aspidium wallichianum
Dryopteris wallichiana, Alpine Wood Fern, Wallich's Wood Fern, Aspidium parallelogramma, Aspidium wallichianum

One of the most handsome of ferns available, award-winning Dryopteris wallichiana (Alpine Wood Fern) is a stately semi-evergreen fern forming a tuft of lance-shaped, arching fronds from an erect rhizome. Arising in shuttlecock-like clusters, the fronds are warm butter yellow when they unfurl in spring, in contrast to the blackish-brown scales on the stalk and midrib. Adding beauty and interest to the landscape, they mature to rich green later and often remain green through winter in frost-free areas. After several years, this statuesque fern will have 50-60 fronds. Easily grown, Alpine Wood Fern shows off well against a contrasting rocky background and makes a dramatic statement in a woodland garden or under deciduous trees.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall and wide (90-150 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade or full shade in moist and well-drained soils. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well. Drought tolerant once established.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, or woodland gardens.
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
  • Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
  • Native to India and China.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 10 - 11
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, H1
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Common names Fern, Wallich's Wood Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 36" - 60"
(90cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Drought
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Dryopteris to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Dryopteris wallichiana Jurassic Gold (Alpine Wood Fern)
Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Wood Fern)
Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York Fern)
Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal Wood Fern)
Dryopteris cristata (Crested Wood Fern)
Dryopteris intermedia (Intermediate Wood Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea)
Hosta ‘Patriot’ (Plantain Lily)
Allium ursinum (Wild Garlic)
Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 10 - 11
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, H1
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Dryopteridaceae
Genus Dryopteris
Common names Fern, Wallich's Wood Fern
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spacing 36" - 60"
(90cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Drought
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Dryopteris to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Dryopteris wallichiana (Alpine Wood Fern) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Dryopteris wallichiana (Alpine Wood Fern) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone