Common Name: buckler fern
Type: Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 3.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Tolerate: Rabbit, Drought, Heavy Shade
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils that are rich in organic matter. Likes sun-dappled conditions. Surprisingly drought tolerant once established. Site in locations protected from strong winds to prevent damage to the fronds.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Dryopteris × complexa, commonly known as buckler fern, is a hybrid between D. affinis and D. filix-mas. It generally features the stronger fronds of D. affinis and the more finely divided fronds of D. filix-mas. Bipinnate upright arching fronds rise to 2-3' tall from an erect crown. Semi-evergreen in warm winter climates, but basically deciduous in the St. Louis area.
Genus name from Greek dryas meaning oak and pteris meaning fern in reference to the presence of some species of wood ferns in woodland areas populated with oaks.
The hybrid name complexa means "complex" in reference to the highly dissected fronds of this hybrid.
‘Rumpelstiltskin’ grows vigorously to 3-4’ tall. Cultivar name is reportedly in reference to the “rumpled” pinnules and “stilt-like” pinnae crests of this fern. It is a vigorous grower which forms a substantial foliage mass of finely divided, upright arching fronds. Semi-evergreen in warm winter climates, but basically deciduous in the St. Louis area.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Woodland or shade gardens.