About

An evergreen, clump-forming fern with erect, narrowly lance-shaped, bipinnate fronds, with slender-pointed apex and leaflets. This cultivar has fronds almost twice the size of the species.

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 typeLoam, Clay, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHNeutral, Acid, Alkaline
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

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
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free