Polypodium vulgare 13cm

Polypodium vulgare (Common Polypody)

A hardworking native fern with year-round appeal, common polypody is prized for its ability to thrive where little else will — dry shade, rocky banks, old walls and even tree trunks all suit it well. Its leathery, deeply divided dark green fronds hold their form and colour through every season, bringing structure and life to the garden even in the depths of winter.

Fully evergreen and spreading gently by creeping rhizomes, it forms a low, dense carpet of foliage that works beautifully as underplanting for shrubs and roses, tucked into rockeries, or naturalised along shaded banks and woodland edges. It's a genuinely low-fuss fern, tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions once established, and non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for gardens shared with cats and dogs.

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in partial to full shade, though it will also tolerate drier, sunnier spots once settled in. Water regularly through the first season to help it establish, after which it becomes notably drought-tolerant. Sheltering from cold, drying winds will help keep the fronds looking their best, and any dead or damaged growth can simply be removed in early spring. Reaching around 20–30cm (8–12in) in height with a spread of 30–90cm (12–36in) as it slowly naturalises, and fully hardy throughout the UK, it's an easy, resilient addition to any shaded corner.

Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.