Robust Male Fern
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Robusta'
Full shade
Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil - weekly, or more often.
THIS PLANT MAY BE AVAILABLE IN THESE STORES:
Due to the seasonal nature of plants, availability at your local garden center is not guaranteed. Give them a call before visiting.
- 101 Market
8980 Quantrelle Ave. N.e. Otsego MN 55330
- 14th Street Garden Center
793 Jersey Ave. Jersey City NJ 07303
- 3rd Avenue Floral & Greenhouse
1110 3rd Ave. West Dickinson ND 58601
- 4 Ever Green Ldsp. & Dgn
21457 214th Circle Ave Milford IA 51351
Botanical Pronunciation | drye-OPP-ter-iss FY-liks mas roh-BUS-tuh |
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Lore | In ancient Europe, ferns were often associated with incantations and spells granting one invisibility because the plants lacked seeds and seemed to magically appear. Male fern is grown commercially as an anthelminthic, to expel worms. |
Average Size at Maturity | Quickly forms foliage clumps 4 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide, or wider. |
Bloom Time | Prized for foliage. |
Design Ideas | A perfect space filler to flesh out shade gardens and landscapes under large shade trees or groves. Exceptional for filling gaps in rock waterfalls where shade prevents other plants. A good problem solver for narrow sideyards and fleshes out difficult north facing foundation planting. |
Deciduous/ Evergreen | Semi-evergreen |
Foliage Color | Green |
Garden Style | Asian/Zen, Cottage, Rustic |
Growth Habit | Clumping |
Growth Rate | Fast |
Landscape Use | Border, Container, Firescaping/Firewise, Mass Planting, Rock Garden, Woodland Garden, Cutting Garden, Edging, Ground Cover |
Light Needs | Full shade |
Soil Needs | All-Purpose Plant Food |
Special Feature | Clump Forming, Extreme Cold Hardiness, Gift Plant, Naturalizes Well, North American Native Selection, Shade Loving, Tolerates Acidic Soil, Tolerates Wet Soils, Fast Growing |
Water Needs | High |
Watering Needs | Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil - weekly, or more often. |
Companion Plants | Azalea (Azalea); Camellia (Camellia); Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa); Rhododendron (Rhododendron); Astilbe (Astilbe) |
Provide enriched, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, with shelter from drying winter winds. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish root system; once established, water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil. Fertilize regularly during growing season. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring.
This Plant's Growing Zones: 4-8

Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant