Dryopteris championii, commonly known as Champion’s Wood Fern, is an evergreen fern native to the understory of moist, shaded forests in East Asia, particularly in China, Japan, and Taiwan. It typically grows to a height and width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters), forming a lush, vase-shaped clump of arching fronds. The fronds are pinnate-pinnatifid, meaning they are feather-like with smaller leaflets on each side of the central stalk, and they have a rich, dark green color that adds texture to shaded garden areas.

Champion’s Wood Fern is valued for its evergreen foliage, which provides year-round interest in shaded garden settings. It is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and as an understory plant in forested areas. It is also suitable for container planting, where its elegant form can be showcased. This fern prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and thrives in part shade to full shade. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring little care once established, but should be protected from strong winds and direct sunlight. While it is not prone to serious pests or diseases, it can occasionally suffer from fungal issues in overly wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0