- Botanical name: Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactila'
- Common name: Male fern
- Family: Dryopteridaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
Dryopteris filix-mas ‘Linearis Polydactila’ is a male fern with graceful, skeletal-like pinnae, giving it an unusual spiky appearance. It’s perfect for growing in a range of shady situations, and works well alongside other shade-loving plants such as hostas and hellebores. Although deciduous, the frosted fronds provide winter interest and are worth keeping until spring. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Grow Dryopteris filix-mas ‘Linearis Polydactila’ in moist but well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Divide congested clumps and trim back old foliage in spring.Â
How to grow Dryopteris 'Linearis Polydactila'
-
Plant size
100cm height
75cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade, full shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do Prune in April |
M
Do Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Dryopteris 'Linearis Polydactila' and wildlife
Dryopteris 'Linearis Polydactila' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Dryopteris 'Linearis Polydactila' poisonous?
Dryopteris 'Linearis Polydactila' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Dryopteris 'Linearis Polydactila'
