Dryopteris lepidopoda

Sunset Fern  Dryopteridaceae

One of the great show-offs of the Dryopteris world, and quite unashamedly so. The evergreen fronds emerge in spring in extraordinary shades of salmon-pink, copper and orange-red, gradually passing through yellow before settling to handsome dark green as they mature. The effect is particularly good when the new fronds emerge against the older foliage, giving a succession of colour rather than one fleeting flash.

Native from the Himalaya through southern central China and Myanmar to Taiwan, it is a woodland fern of cool, moist habitats. Hayata described it in 1914 from Taiwan. Kew currently accepts D. lepidopoda as the correct name, although it has accumulated a remarkably long list of synonyms, reflecting considerable taxonomic confusion. 

Best in moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral to acidic soil in partial or full shade. Surprisingly tolerant once established, and considerably more robust than its exotic appearance might suggest. 

• Hardiness: H6, to about -20°C
• Height: 50–100 cm
• Spread: 50–100 cm
• Foliage: Evergreen
• Season: New fronds emerge salmon-pink to orange-red in spring
• Position: Partial to full shade
• Soil: Moist but well-drained, preferably neutral to acidic
• Range: Himalaya, southern China, Myanmar and Taiwan
• Nomenclature: Dryopteris lepidopoda Hayata, 1914