Dryopteris affinis ssp affinis Baptisia Visitors to the 1991 Hosta

Visitors to the 1991 Hosta Convention in Raleigh were amazed at this seedling in the garden of Tony Sears of Apex (the guy with the 2-mile railroad track in his garden)

producing 1' tall stalks that are dark violet at the base

the giant clump is topped with nice near-white flower clusters on 48" tall scapes

cold winter tolerance

a hummingbird delight and another of those great flowers to fondle

Dryopteris affinis ssp affinis Baptisia Visitors to the 1991 HostaIn our garden, the golden scaled male fern has certainly proved to be one of the most adaptable and vigorous ferns. Dryopteris affinis ssp. affinis makes a semi evergreen 2' tall x 2' wide clump whose foliage holds until it simply falls apart in early spring. Dryopteris affinis makes a nice solitary specimen but is also great for a mass planting in the woodland shade garden. Dryopteris affinis is equally successful at home in either acidic or alkaline