3 Large Plants - Scaly Male Fern Dryopteris Cristata, Outdoor Garden Ready, 1L

Elegant hardy fern with upright, finely divided fronds, bringing lush woodland texture & natural structure to shaded gardens and borders.

Dryopteris cristata, commonly known as the Crested Wood Fern or Scaly Male Fern, is a hardy perennial fern valued for its tall, upright fronds and refined foliage texture. The rich green fronds rise from a central crown, creating a strong vertical presence while maintaining the soft, natural look typical of woodland ferns. Its neatly structured growth makes it especially useful for adding height and contrast among lower shade-loving plants. Mature plants typically reach 60–90cm tall with a similar spread, forming an attractive clump ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders and naturalistic planting schemes.

Supplied as strong, well-established 11cm (1L) rootball plants, available in sets of 3 or 6, these are healthy, garden-ready ferns prepared for reliable establishment. Professionally grown in peat-free compost at our UK nursery in Yorkshire and delivered in plastic-free packaging, they provide a sustainable way to introduce classic fern structure and low-maintenance greenery into shaded outdoor spaces.

Cultural Information

• Botanical Name: Dryopteris cristata
• Common Name: Crested Wood Fern, Scaly Male Fern
• Plant Type: Hardy Deciduous Fern
• Rootball Size: 11cm / 1 Litre
• Mature Height: Approx. 60–90 cm
• Mature Spread: Approx. 45–75 cm
• Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming
• Foliage: Deep Green, Finely Divided Upright Fronds
• Seasonal Interest: Fresh foliage in spring through autumn
• Planting Position: Partial Shade to Full Shade
• Soil Type: Moist, Humus-Rich, Well-Drained Soil
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, particularly during establishment
• Maintenance: Remove old fronds in early spring to allow fresh growth
• Hardiness: Fully Hardy in Most UK Conditions
• Best Uses: Woodland Gardens, Shaded Borders, Naturalistic Planting, Underplanting Trees & Shrubs

Free UK Delivery on Every Order

All orders placed Monday–Thursday before 2pm are packed the next working day and delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.

Example: Order on Monday → packed Tuesday → delivered Wednesday.

Orders placed Friday–Sunday are packed and shipped on Monday. We don't dispatch on weekends to ensure your plants travel fresh.

How Your Plants Arrive
Every plant is individually wrapped in our plastic-free packaging and secured in a custom box designed to keep them upright and protected in transit. If anything arrives damaged, get in touch — we'll replace it.

Returns
Not happy? Contact us within 14 days of delivery and we'll sort it out. See our full returns policy here.