Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King' 13cm

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King' (Golden Male Fern)

A truly regal fern, and one of the most sought-after in the Dryopteris family. Long, arching fronds unfurl in bright golden-green in spring, their stems dressed in warm golden scales, before deepening to rich green through the summer. What sets 'Cristata The King' apart is its striking crested tips — each frondlet finishes in a delicate, frilled crest, giving the plant an ornate, almost feathered appearance that has earned it the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Robust and semi-evergreen, it forms a magnificent shuttlecock-shaped clump of heavily divided fronds, holding its structure and texture right through the year in a sheltered spot. It makes a superb architectural specimen for woodland gardens or as a dramatic focal point in a partially shaded border, and pairs handsomely with hostas, hellebores and other shade-loving perennials. Non-toxic to pets, it's a safe choice for gardens shared with cats and dogs.

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds to encourage evergreen persistence. It will tolerate a little more sun if kept consistently moist, and becomes pleasingly drought-tolerant once established, though regular watering through the first season will help it settle in. Mulch annually to retain moisture, and simply remove old or damaged fronds in early spring. Reaching up to 120cm (4ft) in height with a spread of around 90cm (3ft), and fully hardy throughout the UK, it's a striking, low-maintenance addition to any shaded planting scheme.

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