Dryopteris atrata

Description

Dryopteris atrata – shaggy shield fern

Botanical name: Dryopteris cycadina (syn. D. atrata)
Common names: Shaggy shield fern, black wood fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Plant type: Semi-evergreen fern
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Pot size: 3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Leathery, dark green fronds with strikingly dark, almost black, shaggy scaly stems; semi-evergreen
Flowers: None — ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates a range of soils; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 5–8
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Species native to eastern Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Dryopteris atrata, the shaggy shield fern, has leathery dark green fronds set off by strikingly dark, shaggy scaly stems. A handsome, upright fern for shady and woodland borders and moist, shaded corners.

GardenAdvice notes

A distinctive, handsome fern from eastern Asia, the shaggy shield fern is grown for the dramatic contrast between its leathery, dark green fronds and its very dark, almost black, shaggily scaled stems. Neat and upright, it makes an elegant, well-behaved clump for shade and holds its fronds well into winter.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Male ferns and their relatives are among the most tolerant of drier shade, but all do best with reliable moisture. Work in leaf mould or compost, and space about 45–60cm apart depending on the ultimate size.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil from drying out, especially while establishing, and mulch with leaf mould in autumn. Remove old, tatty or frost-damaged fronds in early spring before the new growth unfurls. No feeding is usually needed beyond an annual mulch.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.
• Spores: Can be raised from spores sown on moist, sterile compost, though this is slow and specialised.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and robust. Slugs and snails may graze the soft young fronds as they unfurl in spring, and fronds can scorch in dry or exposed positions.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for shady and woodland borders, north-facing beds, and among hostas, hellebores and other shade plants, where the dark scaly stems give a distinctive, refined look.

Wildlife value

The fronds provide cover and shelter for small invertebrates, and the crowns offer shelter through winter.

Toxicity & safety

Ferns are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets, though as with all ornamental plants they are not intended for eating.

GardenAdvice tip

The charm of this fern is in the detail — the near-black, shaggy scales on the stems set against the dark green fronds — so plant it where you’ll see it close up, at the front of a shady border or beside a path. It’s neat, upright and well-mannered, never running or flopping, and just needs moist, shaded soil to thrive.

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