Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust'

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Dryopteris x complexa 'Robust'

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Kemper Code: Z650

Common Name: buckler fern
Zone: 5 to 9
Plant Type: Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 3 to 4 feet
Spread: 3 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Color: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low

Plant Culture and Characteristics

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Uses:		Wildlife:	Flowers:	Leaves:	Fruit:
Hedge	Suitable as annual	Attracts birds	Has showy flowers	Leaves colorful	Has showy fruit
Shade tree	Culinary herb	Attracts	Has fragrant flowers	Leaves fragrant	Fruit edible
Street tree	Vegetable	hummingbirds	Flowers not showy	Good fall color	Other:
Flowering tree	Water garden plant	Attracts	Good cut flower	Evergreen	Winter interest
Gr. cover (<1')	Will naturalize	butterflies	Good dried flower		Thorns or spines

General Culture:

Easily grown in average, medium moisture soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils rich in organic matter. Surprisingly drought tolerant once established.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

'Robust' is a hybrid fern (D. affinis x D. filix-mas) which typically grows 3-4' (less frequently to 5') tall. It is a vigorous grower (as the cultivar name suggests) which forms a substantial foliage mass of deeply divided, upright arching fronds which have a somewhat ruffly or wavy appearance. Fronds emerge light green but mature to deep green. Semi-evergreen in warm winter climates, but basically deciduous in the St. Louis area. Synonymous with and sometimes listed for sale as Dryopteris filix-mas 'Undulata robusta'.

Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses:

Naturalize in woodland or shade gardens.