Photo: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
.jpg){kind=link}
Pruning guide · Fern
Broad buckler-fern: when and how to prune
Dryopteris dilatata
Broad buckler-fern is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Broad buckler-fern: when to prune it?
In March, before the new fiddleheads unfurl. Otherwise it is not pruned.
What else to prune in those months? March
Broad buckler-fern: how to prune it?
- Leave the old fronds all winter to protect the crown and shelter small creatures.
- In March cut the brown fronds off just above the ground; leave them as mulch around the plant or put them on the compost heap.
- In summer, feel free to remove a broken or withered frond.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
- Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)
- Male fern
- Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
- Narrow buckler-fern
- Scaly male fern
- Shaggy shield fern (Dryopteris cycadina)
Plant profile: Broad buckler-fern · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.