Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern)
Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern) is a large, deciduous fern with erect, stout rhizomes supporting graceful bouquets of lance-shaped, dull green fronds. Tapering at the base, each frond (blade) is pinnate-pinnatifid with 20-30 pairs of long-pointed leaflets per blade. Turning coppery in fall, this most adaptable and robust fern thrives on neglect and is pest and disease free.
Dryopteris filix-mas (Male Fern) is a large, deciduous fern with erect, stout rhizomes supporting graceful bouquets of lance-shaped, dull green fronds. Tapering at the base, each frond (blade) is pinnate-pinnatifid with 20-30 pairs of long-pointed leaflets per blade. Turning coppery in fall, this most adaptable and robust fern thrives on neglect and is pest and disease free. Male Fern is a great asset for shady, difficult corners of the garden.
- Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 2-4 ft. tall and wide (60-120 cm) and will reliably reappear year after year.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
- A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in rich, consistently moist soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out.
- This plant is a great choice for shady beds, borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, or woodlands .
- Rabbit resistant, clay soil tolerant!
- Remove faded fronds regularly and divide plants when crowded.
- Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in spring
- Native to Europe and North America
Requirements
| Hardiness | 4 – 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1 – 8 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
| Plant Type | Ferns |
| Plant Family | Dryopteris – Ferns |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall |
| Height | 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm) |
| Spread | 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm) |
| Spacing | 48″ (120cm) |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Native Plants | United Kingdom, United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Tolerance | Clay Soil, Rabbit |
| Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |