Dryopteris stewartii - Stewarts Wood Fern

Dryopteris stewartii

Meet Dryopteris stewartii, the fern with attitude—and a frond game that’s seriously strong. With bright green deeply fronds reaching up to 90cm tall, it’s like the early rising rock star of the shade garden, commanding attention without even trying when all other ferns are in deep slumber.

It thrives in part to full shade with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil and forms a bold, upright clump that’s tough as nails but surprisingly low-maintenance. Perfect for gardeners who want their greenery to pack a punch—because why settle for shy when you can have spectacular?