About
A bushy, evergreen group of ferns with soft, overlapping, often horizontal fronds. Fronds have a very lacy, multi-layered appearance and are divided up to four times with narrow ultimate divisions.
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
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrows well 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 fungal diseases