Dryopteris affinis 'Pinderi'

Pinder’s Golden-Scaled Male Fern Dryopteridaceae

A particularly useful form of the handsome Scaly Male Fern, and one of the ferns we would reach for when the brief is tough, architectural and able to cope with dry shade. ‘Pinderi’ forms a strong, upright shuttlecock of narrow, lance-shaped fronds, emerging yellow-green before maturing to deep green, with the rachis and midrib conspicuously clothed in golden scales.

Like the species, it is remarkably adaptable, tolerating chalk, clay, loam and sandy soils and even considerable exposure. Most importantly, once established it has considerably better drought tolerance than its woodland origins might suggest, making it particularly valuable beneath established trees and shrubs where competition for water can make life difficult for less robust ferns. 

An excellent, low-maintenance fern for dry woodland, difficult shade and the increasingly common combination of hot summers and thirsty tree roots.

• Hardiness: H5, approximately -15 to -10°C
• Height: 1–1.5 m
• Spread: 50–100 cm
• Foliage: Semi-evergreen
• Season: Fresh yellow-green growth in spring, maturing deep green
• Position: Partial shade to full shade; surprisingly tolerant of exposure
• Soil: Adaptable; moist but well-drained when establishing
• Drought tolerance: Good once established; particularly valuable for dry shade
• Nomenclature: Dryopteris affinis ‘Pinderi’
• Common name: Pinder’s Golden-scaled Male Fern