While the
male fern is deciduous, for something rather different, try the evergreen autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), which is a native of the Far East.
ALL ITS GLORY: Dryopteris affinis, the Golden
Male Fern, can reach 90 cm (36in) tall and has produced some wonderful variations with twisted and congested fronds that add another dimension to the display
Male fern is the common fern and there are a number of varieties of Dryopteris available such as copper shield fern, which is also known as the Japanese red shield fern and I have even seen it sold as the painted fern.
The British native
Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) will grow in the deepest, darkest shade so will survive spots where most other plants die.
The evergreen species of asplenium and Polypodium vulgare are at home in dry shade, while Dryopteris affinis, also known as the golden
male fern because its golden leaf midribs contrast attractively with the pale green young leaves, tolerates sun and is fairly windresistant so can be grown in more exposed sites.