Dryopteris filix-mas
(Male Fern)
Family - Dryopteridaceae
Category - Fern
Origin - Northern temperate regions
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 1.2m
Width - 1m
Location - The House Border
Description: A rhizomatous, Deciduous fern with an upright, shuttlecock habit. Upright then arching fronds have a sword-shaped outline and are bipinnate. The pinnae (leaflets) are bright mid-green and held in opposite pairs along the brown fuzzy stalks. Each frond can reach to 90cm or more in length. Kidney-shaped spores are held on the undersides of the fronds.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Synonym - Aspidium filix-mas
Foliage:
Upright then arching fronds have a sword-shaped outline and are bipinnate. The leaflets are bright mid-green and held in opposite pairs on brown, fuzzy stalks. Each frond can reach 90cm or more in length.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Bipinnate, lanceolate fronds
Propagation:
Division, spores.
Cultivation:
Thrives in sun or shade in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. Will tolerate dry shade.