Dryopteris Species, Mexican Male Fern

I'm in Western PA and have this MM Fern. Planted it 5 yrs ago and it gets bigger every year. It turns brown over the fall/winter, then we...Read More cut it back in the spring and he starts his growth again. It is located on the east side of the house, so it gets the morning and some afternoon sun, but never the direct hot sun (or rarely). I've never pruned it, etc. I just let it do its thing. I'm still looking for more info on its care in Zone 6a.

I find it surprising that this plant is not more popular: While a lot of ferns will turn brown and fade in the intense summer heat, this ...Read Morefern seems to do just fine (at least in the shade). It even survived several weeks of 100+ temps (~120 heat index due to so much humidity) this past summer and was not even phased.

A very beautiful tall fern.
Use like a Matteuccia struthiopteris.
Unlike the Ostrich Fern is not at all invasive,
...Read Morehas a much more open look and stays on late,
doesn't flag in the heat of Summer.
Needs more shade than most taller ferns.