Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis' RHS AGM P9

Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis' – Dwarf Crisped Male Fern

Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Gracilis', commonly known as Dwarf Crisped Male Fern, is a charming, hardy, semi-evergreen fern prized for its compact growth and unusual, finely textured foliage. A miniature form of the Scaly Male Fern, it produces short, narrow, deep green fronds with densely overlapping, crinkled and curled leaflets, creating an attractive, ruffled appearance.

Growing just 15–20 cm high and approximately 20–30 cm wide, this delightful dwarf fern forms a neat, dense rosette, providing year-round texture in mild winters.

Thriving in partial to full shade, it prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil, although established plants tolerate some dry shade. Ideal for woodland gardens, shaded rockeries, small borders, containers and underplanting shrubs, its miniature proportions make it particularly valuable where space is limited.

RHS AGM: Award of Garden Merit.