Fern
Male fern
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Plant in March | Plant in April | Plant in September | Plant in October | ||||||||
| Prune | Prune in February | Prune in March | ||||||||||
| Looks good | Looks good in April | Looks good in May | Looks good in June | Looks good in July | Looks good in August | Looks good in September | Looks good in October |
Overview
This native fern grows wild in woods and hedge bottoms all over Britain and Ireland. In spring, fresh green fronds unroll from a central crown like shuttlecocks, eventually forming a broad, upright vase of lance-shaped leaves. Fronds often hang on into early winter before browning. The crested 'Cristata' and 'Linearis Polydactyla', with its narrow, fingered tips, are more decorative forms, and the closely related golden-scaled male fern, Dryopteris affinis, is similar but stays greener longer.
Where to grow male fern
Shade or part shade on any soil, including the dry, root-filled ground beneath trees where little else succeeds. It also grows in damp corners and on north-facing walls. Plant it with hostas, foxgloves and hellebores for a woodland feel.
Planting
Plant in spring or autumn, 60–75 cm apart, with the crown level with the soil surface. Mix leaf mould into the hole and water thoroughly until established.
Care through the year
Spring
Mulch with leaf mould as the new croziers begin to unfurl.
Summer
Water only in severe drought during the first year.
Autumn
Let fallen tree leaves settle around the crowns as natural mulch.
Winter
Leave old fronds standing to shelter the crown and insects.
Pruning
In late winter, before new fronds emerge, cut last year's dead fronds off close to the crown, taking care not to damage the tightly coiled new growth.
Propagation
Divide large clumps with several crowns in spring. Spores sown on sterile compost in a covered pot will produce young plants, though this is slow.
Common problems
Almost trouble-free. Brown, crisp fronds in summer signal drought stress, usually in the first year before roots have pushed deep; a good soak and mulch fixes it. Vine weevil occasionally attacks plants in pots.
Something else wrong? Diagnose it by symptom.
Month-by-month reminders
Jobs for this plant come round in February, March, April, September and October. Each month page lists everything else worth doing in the garden at the same time.
Related plants
Sources
Botanical names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; growing attributes were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.