Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Dryopteris affinis 'Revolvens'
Gold-scaled Male Fern
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Height
- 24 to 48 inches
- Width
- 24 to 36 inches
- Flower color
- Non-flowering
- Foliage color
- Glossy, dark green, upright fronds
- Bloom time
- N/A
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; remove old fronds in early spring
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 8
- Wildlife
- Provides habitat and shelter for small wildlife and beneficial insects
About this plant
Dryopteris affinis 'Revolvens' is a robust, evergreen fern with broad, finely divided fronds that display a rich green color throughout the growing season. Its gracefully arching fronds feature a distinctive glossy texture, giving the plant an elegant, layered appearance. While ferns don't produce flowers, 'Revolvens' adds year-round interest with its lush foliage and structural beauty in shaded garden areas.
Originating from Europe, this variety is a cultivated form of the golden-scaled male fern, selected for its resilience and attractive frond structure. It's an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or naturalistic landscapes, where it provides a verdant backdrop and architectural form.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff · Foamflowers · Epimediums
Design tip
Use it as a steady framework plant, repeating it along a bed to tie separate plantings together. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
