About
An elegant, evergreen fern with lance-shaped, erect to arching, glossy fronds, with narrow pinnules and uppermost pinnae incurved and overlapping.
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 hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Rock garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in most cool, fertile, moist, humus-rich, shaded soils. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet. See how to grow ferns for further adivce
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 resistanceGenerally disease-free