Dryopteris atrata (Wood Fern) – Hardy Fern (2L Pot)

Rich green fronds carrying dark, almost black scales up the stems, a fern with real presence in shade.

Dryopteris atrata builds into a handsome shuttlecock clump and keeps most of its foliage through the year, so a shaded border still has shape in February. The near black scales against the green are what set it apart from the other wood ferns.

Each plant is supplied as a fresh, well established 2L root ball, grown in peat free compost. They are larger and more mature than plugs, so they arrive fully rooted and ready to go straight into the ground or a pot.

Plant it in partial to full shade in soil that holds moisture, water it through the first season and mulch in spring.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Wood fern, shaggy shield fern
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: Our source gives a range for these hardy ferns rather than a figure for this one: 20cm to 1.2m tall and 20cm to 90cm wide, depending on the fern.
• Growth Habit: Upright, shuttlecock forming clump
• Perfect For: Shaded borders, understorey planting, containers, courtyards, stonework edges and woodland gardens
• Foliage: Rich green fronds with dark brown to black scales on the stems
• Flowering Time: None. Ferns carry no flowers and spread by spores.
• Planting Position: Partial shade to full shade, sheltered from wind in soil that stays moist. Grows well in a container.
• Soil Type: Moist, humus rich soil that drains freely.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy. It comes through a British winter outdoors without protection.
• Maintenance: Very low. Tidy old fronds away as needed.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
• Type: Hardy evergreen to semi-evergreen fern

Free UK Delivery on Every Order

All orders placed Monday–Thursday before 2pm are packed the next working day and delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.

Example: Order on Monday → packed Tuesday → delivered Wednesday.

Orders placed Friday–Sunday are packed and shipped on Monday. We don't dispatch on weekends to ensure your plants travel fresh.

How Your Plants Arrive
Every plant is individually wrapped in our plastic-free packaging and secured in a custom box designed to keep them upright and protected in transit. If anything arrives damaged, get in touch — we'll replace it.

Returns
Not happy? Contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See our full returns policy here.