• Eventual height: 0.9m
  • Eventual spread: 0.9m

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata'

golden male fern ( syn. Dryopteris The King )

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  • Position: Partial shade
  • Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, humus-rich soil
  • Rate of growth: Slow
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy


A cultivar of the native male fern, Dryopteris affinis, which is found in woodlands in wetter parts of Britain, this is a handsome, semi-evergreen fern that keeps its leaves almost all year round. The young fronds unfurl a golden green and the plant retains a fresh, bright appearance throughout the summer. Try it in a moist shady border with other woodland plants.


  • Garden care:
    Incorporate lots of well-rotted leaf mould, composted pine needles or garden compost into the planting hole. Cut back decayed fronds in winter to allow new growth to emerge.
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