About
An evergreen fern with a branching rhizome producing clumps of leathery, narrowly-oblong fronds divided into pairs of narrow, mid to dark green leaflets.
About the genus
Polystichum are mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen ferns, with short stout rhizomes and pinnately divided fronds in neat shuttlecock-like rosettes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
Native toE North America
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in moist but well-drained, cool, humus-rich soils in full or partial shade
PruningRemove dead or damaged fronds in early spring
PropagationPropagate by division or from spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free