Polypodium vulgare

Polypodium vulgare is an evergreen, hardy fern with attractive ladder-like, leathery foliage with distinctive pimply undersides. It grows to about 30cm high and can eventually cover quite a large areas unless restricted. Unusually for ferns, Polypodium vulgare thrives in dry conditions and can sometimes colonise old trees. If left to spread, it makes attractive evergreen ground cover in dappled shade under trees, where the soil is often quite dry.

Grow Polypodium vulgare in wild gardens, well-drained borders, on banks and walls, or in gravel gardens. Shelter from cold winds.