SEMI-EVERGREEN FERN - DRYOPTERIS AFFINIS: CRISTATA THE KING

A recent addition to my garden is Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King'.  I was mooching around the fern section of a local garden centre the other day and was pleased, and surprised, to find quite a number of ferns that I do not have and which might make suitable additions to my small garden. I like this one because of the distinctive frill along the edges of the fronds. 

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King'

According to the label, this plant is semi-evergreen.  It should not be placed in full sun but should receive much indirect light.  It should be watered sufficiently to keep the soil moist.  It is fully hardy and can achieve a height of 80cm.  See Light and Shade Terms in Gardening




According to a Gardener's World video by Monty Don, Dryopteris Cristata The King will tolerate dry shade.  (external link).








As you might expect from its name, Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King' is considered a male fern.  The names male and female in ferns relates not to their sexuality but to their growth habit (whether they are robust, strong growing, hairy, or if they are delicate or softer in appearance, and so forth).  In the above picture of Cristata The King you can see that the stalk areas (the stalk areas between the leaflets or pinnae are known as the rachis or axis) running through the centre of the fern's blade are dark, hairy, and tough looking.