Dryopteris filix mas Linearis Polydactyla

Ferns are a delight for any garden that can provide their basic requirements. They fill that space that few other plants will thrive in and at the same time bring colour and form to please. Dryopteris filix mas is native to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. Dryopteris filix mas Linearis Polydactyla is a cultivar of the common male fern.  A striking and very popular deciduous fern with green fronds that are long, arching, "Many fingered", delicate and almost skeletal creating form and interest. Dryopteris filix mas Linearis Polydactyla prefers a rich, always moist, even wet, soil, with plenty of organic matter, in a shady location although it will grow well in full sun provided there is constant an abundant supply of moisture. Perhaps unexpectedly it is quite tolerant of dry soil in shade locations and some lime content. The form and texture of Ferns can be grown very successfully in pots and containers as long as you can reproduce the basic requirements, and especially the need for constant moisture. Use a good quality compost. Be very careful with cheap peat free composts that often dry out very quickly. Ferns generally require a constant feed of nutrients so please ensure you feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 12-14 month applied in the early spring as growth begins. One application gives all the nutrients the plant requires.