Dryopteris crassirhizoma - Thick-stemmed wood Fern

Among the ferns of the world's temperate zones, the male fern is certainly the most widespread and, it must be said, one of the easiest to cultivate. They come in various forms, sometimes deciduous, sometimes evergreen, but never lacking interest.

This Asian species has a very large rootstock (hence its name) from which emerge radial fronds that can reach 1 metre (3 feet) in length, arranged somewhat like a very regular spike with a slightly stiff habit at the base, softening at the top. They are a beautiful bright light green, almost chartreuse, when they first appear and persist throughout much of the winter when the cold isn't too biting. It is a beautiful species whose original habit brings an exotic touch to the shaded slope where we cultivate it among epimediums and lungworts.