Male Fern

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla'

Regular price £0.00
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Regular price £0.00
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Male Fern

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla'

Regular price £0.00
/
Regular price £0.00
/
Size
Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla'

Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla'

11cm

£0.00

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Dryopteris filix-mas 'Linearis Polydactyla' is one of the most elegant forms of our native male fern, and a real connoisseur's plant for shade. Where the ordinary Dryopteris filix-mas is bold and architectural, this cultivar is all delicacy: its fronds are slimmed down to narrow, almost thread-like (linear) segments, each one finishing in a dainty crested, many-fingered (polydactyla) tip. The result is a soft, lacy, fountain of fresh green that catches the light beautifully and brings movement to the quietest corner of the garden.

Holder of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, it is as tough as it is refined. This is a deciduous fern that forms a neat, upright clump, sending up a flush of unfurling croziers each spring before settling into a season of feathery foliage. In autumn the fronds fade and die back, with the crown resting safely through winter ready to begin again.

How and where to grow it

Like all male ferns, 'Linearis Polydactyla' is wonderfully easy-going. Give it partial or full shade, a north- or east-facing border, a woodland planting, or the base of a wall or shaded patio are all ideal. It is not fussy about soil and will grow in chalk, clay, loam or sand, across acid, neutral or alkaline ground, provided the soil stays moist but well-drained. A mulch of leaf mould each spring keeps the crown happy and locks in moisture.

  • Eventual size around 60-90cm tall and 60-75cm wide
  • Fully hardy across the UK, survives cold winters with ease
  • Thrives in containers as well as open ground
  • Low-maintenance: simply tidy away old fronds in late winter

It is a superb companion for hostas, hellebores, snowdrops and other shade-lovers, knitting beds together with its fine texture. For anyone searching for a male fern with a little more finesse, this is the one to choose. Every plant we send out is nursery-grown, healthy and well-rooted, ready to settle quickly into its new home.

  • Yes. As a finely cut form of our native male fern, it is fully hardy throughout the UK (RHS H6) and copes with hard frosts. It dies back in winter and reliably pushes up fresh fronds each spring.

  • This is a shade-lover. It thrives in partial or full shade and is ideal for that tricky north- or east-facing border, a woodland corner, or beneath trees and shrubs where little else will grow.

  • Expect a graceful clump roughly 60-90cm tall and around 60-75cm across at maturity, reached over about five to ten years. Its narrow, finger-tipped fronds give it a lighter, more delicate look than the plain male fern.

  • Yes. It grows happily in a large container of loam-based compost kept in shade. Keep it consistently moist, never waterlogged, and top-dress or pot on every couple of years as the crown expands.

  • There is no reported toxicity to people or pets, making it a reassuring choice for family and pet-friendly gardens. As with any plant, it is best not eaten.

  • We always aim to make sure our customers love our products, but if you do need to return an order within 14 days of purchase (not including plants*), or any items are damaged, we’re happy to help. Just email us directly at hello@growtropicals.com, and we’ll take you through the process. 

    Please note: we cannot be held liable for any packaging costs should the original packaging be discarded.

    *Unfortunately we cannot accept returns of undamaged plants as these are perishable items and are not saleable upon return. If a plant is damaged, we will compensate for this as per our live arrival guarantee.

  • When placing your order, you can choose from three dispatch speeds to suit your needs: Economy (prepared and shipped within 4-5 days), Standard (3-5 days), or Express (dispatched the very next day). Please keep in mind that "dispatch" refers to the time it takes our team to prepare and pack your items before handing them over to the courier, not the total delivery time.

    Shipping costs are based on your total order value and will be calculated at checkout, with free shipping automatically applied to all orders over £60. For a full breakdown of shipping prices please see our help center here.

    Additionally, to protect the health and quality of our live plants, orders containing plants are exclusively shipped Monday through Thursday. This careful scheduling prevents your plants from being stuck in a dark shipping depot over the weekend, ensuring they arrive at your door vibrant and healthy.

What Our Customers Say

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Packaged with Care

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Perfect for Gifting

Perfect for Gifting

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Sustainability at Heart

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