Dryopteris filix-mas - Male Fern

Dryopteris filix-mas is the most widespread fern in the world. This botanical species may be less delicate than the female fern, but it is more robust and not lacking in elegance. It forms a very elegant clump composed of a few gracefully arched and beautifully cut pale green fronds. Its diverging habit of growth does not go unnoticed in slightly shady areas of the garden. Choose it without hesitation, in cool climates, if your garden can accommodate its superb volume!

Dryopteris filix-mas, commonly known as the male fern, is a species belonging to the large family of Dryopteridaceae. Widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and North America, this deciduous or semi-evergreen fern lives in cool, moist, and shaded habitats, along hedges, near ditches, and in leafy or coniferous undergrowth and forests. The plant forms a loosely dense clump, 1m (3ft) to 1.20m (4ft) tall and about 80cm (32in) wide. While its growth is quite slow, it spreads over time in large colonies thanks to its creeping rhizomes. It is composed of pale green fronds divided twice into more or less serrated leaflets but always rounded at their tips. The petiole and rachis (central vein) of each frond are covered with reddish scales. The fronds emerge from a thick, scaly stump, from an upright rhizome in a crown shape. The growth is deciduous to semi-evergreen, depending on the severity of the winter.

Dryopteris filix-mas, not demanding in terms of soil type, is very easy to grow in all shady and cool to moist places, but in fertile and well-drained soil. Elegant yet sturdy, it is perfect for slightly neglected areas of the garden, where it will thrive under the trees. It can also be planted not far from a water source, alongside Rodgersia, Solomon's seals, or silver candles. It forms very beautiful massifs in the undergrowth, placed next to Astilbe arendsii 'Burgundy Red', a fern with feathery foliage like Athyrium filix-femina, or blue Himalayan poppies.