We received this fern under the name Dryopteris affinis ‘Crispa’, and it was described as potentially being a dwarf for under 12”.  However, we are skeptical that it is actually that compact and are watching it closely as the plants mature.  They are already starting to develop fronds that look too large and wide to be considered a compact or dwarf form.  

Most likely it has been confused with older, alternate names for D. affinis ‘Crispa Gracilis’, which is synonymous with D. Affinis ‘Crispa Congesta’, a compact dwarf that is both crisped and congested.  We have seen too many ferns mislabeled as simply ‘Dryopteris ‘Crispa’ and as Dryopteris ‘Congesta’, and even received a completely different species, Dryopteris dickinsii ‘Crispa’ labeled this way!  If that all sounds very confusing, it’s because it is, even for fern experts!

We are still working toward a positive identification for it, as we have sometimes seen D. affinis ‘Crispa Barnes’ also mislabeled with this name. If it truly is the cultivar D. affinis ‘Crispa’, it will most likely reach a mature size of 3 to 4 feet!  At any rate, it is a very handsome golden scaled male fern that is indeed crisped, meaning the pinnae have undulated upturned margins, giving it a ruffly appearance.  Like other Golden Scaled Male Ferns, it is quite adaptable to a variety of garden conditions from part sun to full shade, moist to dryish.

Frond condition: Semi-evergreen

Mature Size: most likely 3-4’, rather than the compact 12” we received it described as

Root Type: Central Crown or Caudex, clumping

Origin: UK and Western Europe; selected cultivar

Cultural Requirements: Part Sun to Shade, Moist or Lightly Moist to Dryish

USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8