European columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
1 ft 5¾ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 11¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in
Moderate careperennial
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Perennial · Dryopteridaceae family
Male fern
Dryopteris filix-mas
Part shade to shade 1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in to −90 °F
In short a 10-second read
LightPart shade to shade
Size1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in
spacing 27½ in
spacing 27½ in
PlantingApril–May, September–October
WinterNo winter protection
Where to plant and how much to water
Light, soil and water.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in soil from dry to moist.
Sun
Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h
Soil
acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
Watering
Frost
−90 °F
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in× spread 1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in
Plant 27½ in apart.
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
PlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
container plant: April–May, September–October
Feeding
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
March–May
What to plant now (April) full list in April (323) →What to plant now (May) full list in May (185) →What to plant now (September) full list in September (146) →What to plant now (October) full list in October (243) →
Feeding
Nutrition.
Light
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Pests and diseases
Common problems and what to do.
The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.
No serious pests or diseases
The source lists no significant problems.
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Siebold's hosta
1 ft 3¾ in–3 ft 3⅜ in✓flowers June–July
✓taller — for the back
largeleaf brunnera
11¾ in–1 ft 5¾ in✓flowers April–May
✓lower — for the front
lily of the valley
5⅞ in–9⅞ in✓flowers May–June
✓lower — for the front
Ready-made Studio combinations with this plant
Click a combination — the Studio opens a new raised garden bed with it already planted.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does male fern tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does male fern need?
At maturity 1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in wide and 1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in tall; recommended spacing 27½ in.
Sources (17) Checked 24 October 2026
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- missouribotanicalgarden.org
- api.gbif.org 2
- gaertnerei-strickler.de
- shop.foerster-stauden.de
- stauden-stade.de
- rhs.org.uk 2 3
- yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
greater masterwort
Astrantia major
1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 11¾ in–1 ft 5¾ in
Moderate careperennial
threadleaf coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata
1 ft 11⅝ in–2 ft 11⅜ in × 1 ft 3¾ in–1 ft 11⅝ in
Low maintenanceperennial