Sunset Fern Also known as the scaly-foot fern for its unusual scaly rhizome, Dryopteris lepidopoda is grown particularly for its lovely, changing colour. It’s a vigorous, semi-evergreen, clump-forming fern with a shuttlecock-like habit and divided fronds. The emerging growth in spring is pinkish-orange, turning bronze, then pale green before maturing to a deeper green. Cut away damaged fronds before the new growth emerges in spring. A choice, architectural fern, interesting for its varying colour, sunset fern is good as a specimen in a shady bed or courtyard. Site: ShelteredSoil: Any fertile, cool, moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, acid to neutral preferredPosition: Partial shade, full shadeSeason of interest: All year, spring in particularHardiness: Very hardyHeight: up to 3’ (90cm) Spread: 2’ (60m)