About

A trailing or erect annual or perennial from South American Andean habitats, with slightly fleshy, broadly ovate, pale green leaves and short racemes of large, vivid magenta-crimson, bowl-shaped flowers in summer. A vivid and striking species for a warm, well-drained, sunny border or container.

About the genus

Polystichum are mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen ferns, with short stout rhizomes and pinnately divided fronds in neat shuttlecock-like rosettes

Plant details

Suggested usesShade gardens, woodland, containers.

Care notes

CultivationPlant in moist, humus-rich soil in shade.
PruningRemove old fronds in spring.
PropagationPropagate by division, cuttings, or seed.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-resistant.