Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'
syn. Dryopteris The King )
- Position: Partial shade
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, humus-rich soil
- Rate of growth: Slow
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
A cultivar of the native male fern, Dryopteris affinis, which is found in woodlands in wetter parts of Britain, this is a handsome, semi-evergreen fern that keeps its leaves almost all year round. The young fronds unfurl a golden green and the plant retains a fresh, bright appearance throughout the summer. Try it in a moist shady border with other woodland plants.
Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. Cut back decayed fronds in winter to allow new growth to emerge.