The shield ferns give interesting structure and colour in cool places throughout the summer. The pinnate fronds emerge in spring, and may have bronze or even pinkish colours at first, usually becoming darkish green. The details of the frond structure differ with the variety, and there are some remarkable cultivated forms.

Dryopteris affinis 'Cristata The King' is a handsome, golden cultivar of our native male fern, with shuttlecock fronds.