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Key characteristics

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Height: 24 to 48 inches
Width: 24 to 36 inches
Flower color: Non-flowering
Foliage color: Dark green, ruffled and arching fronds
Bloom time: N/A
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; remove old fronds in early spring
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Provides shelter for small wildlife, supports beneficial insects

Perennials

Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust'

Buckler Fern

Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust' is a hardy, semi-evergreen fern known for its lush, bold appearance. Its fronds are finely divided, forming a vase-shaped structure that gives it a dramatic, elegant look in the landscape. The fronds have a leathery texture and have a ruffled appearance that adds depth and interest to shady garden areas. The dense foliage provides year-round texture, as this cultivar holds its greenery through much of the year, only turning brown in colder months.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

N/A

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Epimediums · Hostas · Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Lungworts · Wild ginger

Design tip

Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. Cooler light suits it, so tuck it on the north side of a shrub or wall where the soil stays even.