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Key characteristics

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Height: 2 to 4 ft
Width: 2 to 4 ft
Flower color: None
Foliage color: Medium to dark green arching fronds
Bloom time: Not applicable
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Medium to moist
Maintenance: Low, remove old fronds in late winter or early spring
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8
Wildlife: Dense clumps of fronds offer good ground-level cover for small wildlife

Perennials

Dryopteris filix-mas

Male Fern

Dryopteris filix-mas is a deciduous male fern with green fronds that unfurl in spring to form an upright clump. Each frond ends in narrow, finger-like tips, giving a softly crested look. Fronds remain in good condition through summer, then die back in late autumn, leaving a low crown until new growth returns in spring.

This cultivar does not bloom; instead, from summer into early autumn, rows of round sori develop on the undersides of mature fronds, releasing spores.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Medium to moist

Bloom time

Not applicable

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Rain Gardens
Cut Flower Gardens

Companion plants

Epimediums · Hostas · Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Lungworts · Wild ginger

Design tip

Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)