Dryopteris

The genus Dryopteris comprises two hundred species of deciduous or semi-evergreen ferns from the undergrowth of the Northern Hemisphere. All these ferns require a humus-rich, moist and well-drained soil in full or partial shade. The fern Dryopteris affinis, a hardy Eurasian species, produces vertical fronds up to one metre tall. The fern Dryopteris erythrosora is splendid thanks to its colours ranging from copper to bright red. The fern Dryopteris filix-mas or Male Fern is native to Europe's flora, but many ornamental varieties have emerged, such as the 'Crispa Cristata' variety with fronds that are curled at the tip. We can also mention Dryopteris sieboldii with astonishing pinnae that resemble fronds of Asplenium scolopendrium.