Family : Dryopteridaceae.

Christmas fern.

The sterile fronds are spreading, sturdy and dark green. In the centre, the fertile fronds, more upright, gradually taper towards the top,  in a perfect crown. It tolerates dense shade and drought. It is suitable for drained, acidic or alkaline soils, or screes, rockeries. Evergreen. Height : 30/60cm. Hardiness : -30°C.

 Family : Dryopteridaceae

Very graphic fern. Bipinnate, glossy, rough and slender fronds, first erect, and then arching. Beautiful contrast between the young pale green fronds and the older dark green fronds. It likes an alkaline or acidic soil, cool to moist, in the shade. Evergreen. Height : 75/90cm. Hardiness : -30°C.

Family : Dryopteridaceae.

Very refined fern, with satiny fronds, drab green, beautiful contrast between the tan ribs and the lamina. It will enjoy a fertile, humusy soil, well drained, cool, acidic or alkaline, in shade or light shade. The foliage is used in floral bouquets. Evergreen. Height : 45/60cm. Hardiness : -25°C.

Family : Dryopteridaceae.

Western sword fern.

Tough and satiny fronds, pinnate, medium green, linear-lanceolate. The pinnae are narrow, falcate and auricled. The fronds are arranged in an erect crown in spring and then more spreading. The young croziers are cloaked with silver white scales. The unfurling of the fronds is stunning. This species grows in acidic or alkaline soils, humusy, drained, in the shade; it is drought tolerant and suitable under conifers. Height and width : 80cm. Hardiness : -20°C.

Family : Dryopteridaceae.

A rare and outstanding species, with very tough, weatherproof, glossy, bright green, bipinnate, lanceolate fronds. The pinnules are spinulose and sharp. The stipe and the young croziers are cloaked with large ginger scales. It is a slow-growing species. It enjoys cool and well drained soils, acidic or alkaline, in the shade. Evergreen. Height : 50/60cm. Hardiness :  -22°C.

Family : Dryopteridaceae.

Tassel fern.

Superb fern, round and dense ! The green lutrous fronds are covered wiith ginger scales. The young fronds appear early in spring, forming a distinctive drooping tip, "a tassel", before unfurling completely. This is an easy to grow species, in a humusy, moist soil, acidic or alkaline, in the shade. Height : 50/60cm. Hardiness : -22°C.

Family : Dryopteridaceae.

Triangular, tough fronds with pinnae tips sharply pointed, light green when young, to dark green later. Slow growing. The foliage has a distinctive scent. It likes a well-drained soil, acidic to neutral in the shade. Evergreen. Height : 40cm. Hardiness : -20°C.

Family : Dryopteridaceae.

Soft shield fern.

This sturdy fern is erect, then more arching in late summer. The fronds are finely cut ; the laminae is light green, matt, tender textured; The stipe and the young croziers are cloaked with golden scales. Plant in a group or singly, in cool woods, banks, shady screes, in acidic to very chalky soils, even dry, in shade or light shade. Evergreen and easy to grow. Height : 1m. Hardiness : -25°C.