Plant DetailShow Menu

Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas

Other plants called Male Fern:

Phonetic Spelling
dry-OP-ter-iss FIH-lix MASS
Description

Crown forming rhizome; prefers moist, well-drained soil in sun or shade. Plant in a location that is protected from wind.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

More information on Dryopteris.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Barnesii'
  • 'Undulata Robusta'
'Barnesii', 'Undulata Robusta'
Tags:
#evergreen#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#deer resistant#native garden#heavy shade tolerant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Barnesii'
  • 'Undulata Robusta'
'Barnesii', 'Undulata Robusta'
Tags:
#evergreen#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#deer resistant#native garden#heavy shade tolerant#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dryopteris
    Species:
    filix-mas
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Temp. Northern Hemisphere
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Stiff, lustrous, dark green fronds 8 in. wide, form a flattened vase; lance-shaped blade tapers at each end; pinnate-pinnatified; pinna long with deep cuts and blunt segments; short, densely scaly stipe with brown scales; sori near midrib
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Rabbits