NL: Dryopteris highlighted in 'Plant in the spotlights #2'

Among others, Vitro Plus offers a wide range of beautiful Dryopteris species. The genus Dryopteris is very large; it has over 225 species and about 77 hybrids. It holds the largest number of excellent ferns of which most are winter hardy in zone 7. There is one for every garden. Fortunately they do not spread out quickly in gardens and have short rhizomes, which result in beautiful compact clumps. After a few years it is necessary to split the plants in order to keep them in good health. Once the plant has established in the garden this genus will thrive well in dry conditions. The name comes from Greek and means “forest fern”. A feature of many species of this group is their scaly leaf stem, which ranges in different colours from: bronze, gold, brown to black, therefore you will get beautiful displays of unrolling fronds in springtime.

Left the Dryopteris championii, on the right Dryopteris astra

Dryopteris atrata
A beautiful solitary fern: height up to 1 metre. The leaf stem is covered in black scales; the way the fronds unroll reminds us of an elephant trunk, very exciting and decorative! The combination of these dark-unrolling “trunks” with pastel coloured spring flowers is amazing.

Dryopteris championii
An evergreen winter hardy fern: height up to 90 cm. This fern is one of the best Dryopteris species in wintertime; a hardy plant with dark green leaves which really deserves a prominent place in your border. In spring time new beautiful apple green fronds appear. An ideal fern for beginners.

'Plant in the spotlights' is a production of Vitro Plus, by which they highlight varieties from the company's extended fern assortment. In part two, from which the part above is taken, the Dryopteris takes center stage. Click here for 'Plant in the spotlights #2'.

For more information:
Vitro Plus
P.O. Box 1
4328 ZG, Burgh-Haamstede
The Netherlands
T: +31 (0)111 46 80 88
F: +31 (0)111 46 86 08
www.vitroplus.nl