Polystichum polyblepharum

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Japanese lace fern

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Other common names

tassel fern

Synonyms

Aspidium polyblepharum

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An evergreen fern forming a 'shuttlecock' of spreading, glossy dark green, bipinnate fronds; attractive young fronds yellowish-green, more erect and covered with hair-like golden scales

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Polystichum are mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen ferns, with short stout rhizomes and pinnately divided fronds in neat shuttlecock-like rosettes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in deep or partial shade; protect crowns from excessive winter wet and provide a mulch around the crown to prevent crown from drying out. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by spores, sow spores at 15-16°C (59-61°F) when ripe; divide rhizomes in spring or detach fronds bearing bulbils in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Rock garden
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove dead fronds before new ones unfurl

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis) or the fungal disease Taphrina wettsteiniana