Overview
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' is a fern in the genus Polystichum, part of the Dryopteridaceae family. It typically grows around 0.8 m tall. Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' grows best in full shade, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
About
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' is a fern that performs best in full shade and typically reaches about 0.8 m tall. It prefers moist but well-drained sandy or loamy soil. The cultivar is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and also suits USDA zones 4–8. It is native to Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Polystichum aculeatum
About the genus
Polystichum is a genus of ferns in the family Dryopteridaceae, subfamily Dryopteridoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016. The genus has about 500 species and has a cosmopolitan distribution. The highest diversity is in eastern Asia, with about 208 species in China alone; the region from Mexico to Brazil has at least 100 additional species; Africa, North America, and Europe have much lower diversity.
Wikipedia contributors, "Polystichum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Polystichum
In the garden
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' belongs to the Dryopteridaceae and is a shade-oriented fern from Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Its mature height of roughly 0.8 m makes it a medium-sized structural plant for darker corners where sun is limited. Plant where light is consistently low; ‘full shade’ is the specified aspect. Use a sandy or loamy rooting medium that holds moisture without remaining waterlogged—soil described as moist but well-drained suits it best. In the UK this cultivar is rated H7, meaning it is fully hardy through typical British winters; the USDA range 4–8 indicates tolerance of a broad cold-to-temperate band elsewhere. Place this fern in shaded borders, a fernery or beneath tree canopies where competing roots and intermittent light are minimal. Keep mulch to a moderate depth to retain soil moisture through drier spells, and avoid positions that sit in standing water. Allow room for a forming clump rather than crowding with dense, sun-loving perennials. Expect an established clump to reach about 0.8 m tall.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Polystichum
- Sunlight
- Full shade
- Soil type
- Sandy, Loamy
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Fern
- Height
- 0.8 m
- Native to
- Belgium, Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region, Walloon Region, Flanders, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery'?
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' prefers full shade.
What soil does Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' need?
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' grows best in sandy and loamy soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How big does Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' grow?
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' reaches a height of 0.8 m.
Is Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' hardy in the UK?
Polystichum aculeatum 'Pulcherrimum Druery' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
More in the Polystichum genus
- Polystichum set. 'Herrenhausen'
- Polystichum setiferum 'Dahlem'Soft Shield Fern
- Polystichum adiantiforme
- Polystichum discretum