A magnificent and striking fern. Position: partial shade Soil: moist, humus-rich soil Rate of growth: slow-growing Hardiness: fully hardy A cultivar of the native male fern, Dryopteris affinis, 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.
