How Do You Care For Dryopteris Filix-Mas?

What Can I Plant With Dryopteris Filix-Mas?

Because it is both attractive and unfazed by the type of soil in which it is grown, it can thrive in shady areas such as the bottom of hedges or in other harsh environments.

New fiddle-necks appear every year in the spring, emerging from the tangle of fronds that have survived the winter in a collapsed state.

Think about which other plants in your garden dryopteris might go well with, and place it there.

For instance, plants like hostas provide a bold-leaved contrast on soils that are more moist, whereas on soils that are slightly dryer, woodland bulbs like snowdrops provide an early display before the beauty of the fern’s unfurling fronds is seen.

How Do You Care For Dryopteris Filix-Mas?

The Dryopteris Filix-Mas, pronounced dry-OP-ter-iss, FY-liks mas, is a gorgeous semi-evergreen wood fern that is endemic to the Northern Hemisphere and belongs to the family Dryopteridaceae.

Large, triangular fronds that have a light green coloration and are capable of forming a sizeable clump are characteristic of this plant, which is native to most of Europe, Asia, and North America.

It does well in virtually any kind of soil, which makes it an excellent choice for practically any kind of garden, and it can even thrive in the bottoms of hedges and other such areas.

The plant recovers from the severe conditions of winter by producing new fiddle necks in the spring, which emerge directly from the fronds that have withered and fallen over.

It is also known by its popular names, which include Male Fern, Basket Fern, and Shield Fern, in addition to its biological name.

This is a large male fern that is deciduous, arching, and has robust, upright rhizomes. Its green blades, which are called fronds, may grow to a height of around three feet.

Each frond is pinnate and pinnatifid, meaning that it has ten to thirty pairs of pinnae leaflets on either side of the rachis.

These pinnules are spherical, short, and have very fine serrations. They are separated into pinnules (sub-leaflets).

The pinnae at both ends of the leaf are shorter than the pinnae in the centre, with the basal pinnae being roughly half as long as the central pinnae.

Each of the leaflets is further subdivided into sub-leaflets that are rounded, short, and have very fine serrations.

In order to thrive, Dryopteris Filix-Mas need the following:

Light requirements

This vascular plant favors partially shaded to mostly sunny locations.

Put it in the direct sunlight for a few hours in the afternoon, but keep it in the shadow for the remainder of the day.

Water requirements

Dryopteris Filix-Mas does well when watered in a moist rather than wet environment.

It implies you have a responsibility to make sure it has an adequate supply of water. Additionally, it is able to resist drought.

It is ideal to water it once a week, but you should make sure to give the soil some time to dry out slightly in between waterings.

Soil requirements

This plant thrives in soils that are both well-drained and have an average moisture content.

Dryopteris filix-mas likes soils that are rich in organic matter, have a steady moisture level, and have a humusy texture. It is important that the soil not be fully dehydrated.

Clay, sand, and chalk soil that ranges in pH from alkaline to neutral to acid are the best types of substrate for this plant.

It is suggested that you plant it during the spring or fall seasons, and that you avoid planting it during times of high temperatures and frost spells.

Make use of an appropriate quantity of potting soil, and combine it with the natural soil. In order to improve the drainage, you should also put some clay pebbles at the bottom of the container.

Temperature requirements

It can tolerate temperatures between 70° – 75° degrees Fahrenheit (21° – 24° C) during the day and up till 60° degrees Fahrenheit (15° C) during the night.

United States hardiness zone 4 – 8 (USDA Zone). In the more temperate regions of Britain, this plant maintains its evergreen state while being able to withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius.

Is Dryopteris Filix Mas Evergreen?

As a fern, it is best to think of evergreen as a relative term, as there is certainly some variance in how long it stays green during the year. Nonetheless, you’ll typically find that the fronds are much bigger and more lush in the spring time.

The frond at this time is mostly made up of new growth that has emerged from within the unfurled fronds of last season.

After the spring and summer, you’ll find that the fronds start to die off as they reach maturity.

These mature fronds will then start to shrivel and die off gradually, leaving only the new fiddle-necks emerging from them.

The fronds eventually become completely brown and dead at this stage, but there is still plenty of life in the rhizome.

The rhizome remains alive for several years, and replenishes nutrients in order to get ready for reproduction in the spring time.

Does Dryopteris Filix-Mas Spread?

The gorgeous Dryopteris Filix-Mas is a member of the family Dryopteridaceae and is classified as a semi-evergreen wood fern. It is indigenous to the Northern Hemisphere.

This plant is well-behaved and doesn’t spread too much.

Large, triangular fronds that have a light green coloration and are capable of forming a sizeable clump are characteristic of this plant, which is native to most of Europe, Asia, and North America.

It does well in virtually any kind of soil, which makes it an excellent choice for practically any kind of garden, and it can even thrive in the bottoms of hedges and other such areas.

The plant recovers from the severe conditions of winter by producing new fiddle necks in the spring, which emerge directly from the fronds that have withered and fallen over.

Is Dryopteris Filix-Mas Edible?

Cooked young fronds of the plant. a flavor that is reminiscent of artichokes, broccoli, and asparagus all at the same time.

Please use some caution, and refer to the comments provided above regarding toxicity. Either raw or cooked, the rhizomes can be consumed by humans.

In order to aid in the process of weight loss, raw consumption of these foods was encouraged.

This plant is beautiful when used in flower beds, borders, and in a variety of other garden settings.

Dryopteris Filix-Mas is an excellent companion plant for Hosta as well as the vast majority of other shade-loving perennials.

They are helpful in a variety of containers, including tubs and mixed containers. It is an excellent choice for use as a ground cover plant.

Because it promotes germination, the compost that this plant produces is good for using in tree seedbeds.

Ashes of this plant are rich in potash and are used in the manufacturing of soap and glass.

Even though it loses its leaves in the winter, this plant’s decomposing green fronds can be utilized as a mulch to prevent weeds from growing.

How Tall Can Dryopteris Filix-Mas Grow?

The semi-evergreen leaves have an erect habit, can grow to a maximum length of 150 centimeters (59 inches), and each rootstock has a single crown. The pinnae of the bipinnate leaves range in number from 20 to 35 on either side of the rachis.

The pinnae at both ends of the leaf are shorter than the pinnae in the centre, with the basal pinnae being roughly half as long as the central pinnae. The pinules are not very pointed and are evenly lobed in all directions.

The stalks are coated with scales that have an orange-brown coloration. On the abaxial surface of the mature blade 5 to 6 sori develop in two rows.

The indusium begins to shrink as the spores mature during the months of August and November, which ultimately results in the discharge of the spores.

This species hybridizes readily with both Dryopteris oreades and Dryopteris affinis, also known as the scaley male fern (mountain male fern).

What Can I Plant With Dryopteris Filix Mas?

When planted with other shade-tolerant perennials in the same region, Dryopteris filix-mas is a great companion for almost all hostas, astilbes, ferns and forest grasses.

Dryopteris Filix-Mas is an excellent companion plant for Hosta as well as the vast majority of other shade-loving perennials.

They are helpful in a variety of containers, including tubs and mixed containers. It is an excellent choice for use as a ground cover plant.

Because it promotes germination, the compost that this plant produces is good for using in tree seedbeds.

Ashes of this plant are rich in potash and are used in the manufacturing of soap and glass.

Even though it loses its leaves in the winter, this plant’s decomposing green fronds can be utilized as a mulch to prevent weeds from growing.

Is Dryopteris Filix Mas Easy To Care?

Dryopteris filix-mas needs very little care. It is easy to grow and thrives in both moist and shaded areas. Cut to the ground in the late fall after it has made spores.

Dryopteris Filix-Mas will thrive in both shade and semi-shade, so it is great for low growing areas of the garden where sunlight tends to be less abundant. It thrives in small amounts of light, however it will do well in full shade.

The fronds of this plant are usually not eaten by deer or rabbits. It is not susceptible to any kinds of insect pest either. It is also resistant to deer.