About
A more-or-less evergreen fern forming a rosette of spreading, thin-textured triangular fronds which are 4-pinnate with densely overlapping pinnae giving a mossy appearance, the young fronds with silvery scales.
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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in most cool, fertile, moist, humus-rich, shaded soils. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningDead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
PropagationPropagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe, division of rhizomes in spring or by bulbils in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free outdoors
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Taphrina wettsteiniana