Dryopteris filix-mas
Male fern, Sweet brake shield fern, Knotty brake, Bear's paw
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.9m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This stalwart and hearty fern likes shade but can take dry sites and sunshine. If it is placed in a sheltered area, it may retain its leaves into early winter. Its low key, graceful habit suits it to stand alone, which it will, even in the most difficult of situations. It can take sites close to the trunks of trees, even close to privet, the ultimate test!
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.9m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Shady court, Rock garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant
- Deer
- May be damaged by deer, especially when young
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.
Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Planting
Prune damaged fern fronds
You can remove old fronds in winter if they look tattered. Carefully cut them off using secateurs. Other fronds can be removed as they break, die or fail in spring. Cut them off carefully so as not to damage the young, emergent growth.
Found in
More Dryopteris
Dryopteris
Wood fern, Buckler fern
Dryopteris affinis
Gold shield fern, Scaly male fern, Golden scaled male fern
Dryopteris affinis
Gold shield fern, Scaly male fern, Golden scaled male fern
Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Group'
Curled golden-scaled male fern, Wood fern, Buckler fern
Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata Angustata'
Gold shield fern, Scaly male fern, Golden scaled male fern, King of the male fern, Crested golden scaled male fern
Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'
King of the male fern, Crested golden scaled male fern
Dryopteris affinis 'Pinderi'
Pinder's golden scaled male fern
Dryopteris affinis 'Polydactyla Dadds'
Gold shield fern, Scaly male fern, Golden scaled male fern