Buy male fern Dryopteris filix-mas

Dryopteris filix-mas

male fern

A native, male fern found naturally in moist woodlands around the UK. This large, deciduous fern has feathery, green fronds which form a distinctive, shuttlecock shape and turn coppery in autumn. It makes a fine companion for shade-loving woodland plants, especially other ferns, and when its leaves die back, the space can be filled with early flowering spring bulbs such as snowdrops.

How to care for Dryopteris filix-mas:

Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. Cut back dead fronds in winter.

Eventual height:

Eventual spread:

Position:

Light shade

Rate of growth:

Fast-growing

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

This fern is deciduous so all its fronds will die back in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again each spring.