About
Dryopteris oreades, the mountain male fern, is a semi-evergreen, clump-forming shield fern with an upright, arching habit to 40�80 cm. The mid-green, bipinnate fronds are divided into many smaller leaflets, giving a feathery, lacy appearance. A reliable and ornamental fern for a shaded, moist border or rockery.
About the genus
Dryopteris, the shield ferns, are deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen ferns forming shuttlecock-like rosettes of lance-shaped to broadly triangular, pinnately divided fronds on stout rhizomes. They range from compact rock garden species to large, architectural woodland ferns and are among the most useful and adaptable of all garden ferns.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFerns, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in most moist but free draining soil in shade or partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningNo pruning required, but can remove and dead or damaged fronds as required
PropagationPropagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe, or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free