Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow s well in most cool, fertile, moist, humus-rich, shaded soils. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet. Ideal for woodland gardens
Propagation
Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe, division of rhizomes in spring or by bulbils in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary. Cut back before new fronds emerge in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free outdoors
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Polystichum setiferum (Divisilobum Group) 'Herrenhausen'
soft shield fern 'Herrenhausen'
Get involved
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