Polypodium vulgare
Polypody, Adders fern, Common polypody, Golden maidenhair, Wall fern
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.5m
- Position
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant enjoys moist leafy conditions and will clothe shady banks or walls. It will even grow in tree forks if there is enough moisture and the climate is mild. The rather bendy, soft looking fronds, are a soft-green and have an opulent air when in full growth. Cosmopolitan in distribution, it is found from Europe to the Far East, in South Africa and also in central North America.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court, Rock garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant
- Deer
- May be damaged by deer when very young
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.