Male Fern

A handsome, robust Irish native, Dryopteris filix-mas is a vigorous, semi-evergreen, clump-forming fern which has a strong presence in a shady border and is ideal for woodland planting. The fronds emerge like beautiful, light green croziers in spring, maturing to mid-green in summer. Tall, with an elegant ‘shuttlecock’ habit, it’s extremely hardy and very adaptable as to soil, aspect and conditions – it’s perfectly happy in dry shade once established, in exposed positions or in full sun if the soil is reliably moist. Male fern holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soils: Almost any soil, as long as not waterlogged
Position: Partial shade, full shade; full sun in moist soil
Season of interest: Spring, summer, autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height to 4’ (1.2m) Spread to 3’ (90cm)