About

This vigorous, evergreen fern forming clumps up to 60cm high and 120cm wide. This sterile hybrid produces one, or occasionally more, bulbils at the frond tips. The fronds are slightly arching, shiny green and twice-divided.

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
AspectEast-facing, North-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeFerns
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Native toGreat Britain

Care notes

CultivationGrows well in most cool, fertile, moist, humus-rich, shaded soils. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet
PruningDead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
PropagationPropagate from bulbils in autumn
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free outdoors
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free