Golden Male Fern Dryopteris affinis subsp. affinis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss af-FYE-niss
- Description
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The golden male fern is an herbaceous perennial fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). Its origin is Europe and Central Asia. It is semi-evergreen (in cold climates) to evergreen (in milder climates) and is easy to cultivate. The species (and subspecies) epithet is Latin for “similar” or “related” and reflects its overall similarity to Dryopteris filix-mas.
Although ferns like shade, with adequate moisture the golden male fern can tolerate a fair amount of sun. Once established, it is a drought tolerant specimen. It likes clay or loamy soil that drains well. The fern can grow large: 2 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide.
This robust fern sits erect, forming a rosette of finely cut arching fronds originating at a stout rhizome. Its midrib (rachis) is shaggy and covered with golden brown scales.
It is virtually a pest and disease free choice for a shade garden or in somewhat sunnier native areas or in woodland gardens.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cristata'
Frilly frond tips - 'Stableri'
- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cambrensis', 'Cristata', 'Stableri'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cristata'
Frilly frond tips - 'Stableri'
- 'Cambrensis'
- 'Cambrensis', 'Cristata', 'Stableri'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- affinis subsp. affinis
- Family:
- Dryopteridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Asia
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy Shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer and rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped blade; pinnate-pinnatified; leathery; small, dark spot at base of each pinna; pinnae are layered up the frond like stair steps; stipes and rachises are shaggy with golden brown scales
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Near Septic
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
