Dryopteris cycadina (Black Wood Fern)
Mysterious, elegant, and a little prehistoric, Dryopteris cycadina struts into the shade garden with upright, lacy fronds and dramatic black-scaled stems—like a fern with a dark side (in the best possible way).
Growing to about 60–90cm tall and wide, it forms a striking clump that thrives in part to full shade with moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Hardy, low-maintenance, and semi-evergreen, it brings year-round structure with a touch of gothic glamour. Perfect for anyone who likes their ferns with a bit of flair—think Jurassic chic meets garden sophistication.
