The Broad Wood Fern is a vigorous, deciduous to semi-evergreen fern with attractive finely-cut fronds that grow upright and outward from the crown. It generally grows 60-90cm tall with a similar spread.
Dryopteris dilatata is often called the Broad Buckler Fern and is native to Europe, particularly western and central Europe. The Latin specific epithet dilatata means 'spread out' in reference to the fronds. The wide-spreading, finely-cut, triangular fronds rise upward and outward from its central crown. Pinnate, wide-spreading, deep green fronds are triangular when young, but mature to oval or lanceolate (Lance like). The frond midribs and stalks are covered with dark brown scales.
Grow this fern in consistently moist rich soils in dappled shade and do not allow it to dry out. Use in a woodland or naturalized setting, as a foundation plant or shade garden. Tolerates full shade to partial sun.
Dryopteris
Dryopteris is a fern genus of 225 species from around the world that give us the majority of our great garden ferns. The genus name comes from the Greek words drys (tree) and pteris (fern) in possible reference to this fern's typical habitat in woodland areas. It is a good idea to put Dryopteris (male ferns) near Athyriums (lady ferns) for reasons we hope are obvious.
Dryopteris species come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most gardeners assume that all ferns are green but Dryopteris species have variation in that regard - which ironically makes many people think they are dying or drying out! The new growth on some species may be copper or cinnamon or even black.
Like most garden ferns, Dryopteris plants prefer light shade to almost full shade.