Polystichum setiferum
Soft shield fern, Hedge fern, English hedge fern
Also known as Polystichum angulare
- Height × spread
- 1m × 1m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an accommodating fern with wide spreading or broadly arching, rich-green fronds with contrasting chestnut coloured scales along the stalk and midrib. The leaflets along the fronds are very delicate in appearance and it satisfying to study the detail and symmetry of this beautiful plant. It grows wild in wooded areas. The soft shield fern with its soft spreading lines looks lovely against stone or in the proximity of walls or courtyards.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 1m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Rock garden, Prairie garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade, tolerates dense shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Deer resistant
- Deer
- May be damaged by deer when very young
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.
Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune to the ground
Cut foliage to the ground before new growth starts.
Where stems are grown for their ornamental value, old stems should be removed either before new growth starts in spring, or during winter when they begin to look ragged or untidy.
Winter
Winter · Planting
Apply a protective mulch
Protect with a mulch so that the plant does not become too wet in winter.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Found in
More Polystichum
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Polystichum
Holly fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Christmas fern, Canker brake, Dagger fern
Polystichum aculeatum
Hard shield fern, Hedge fern, Prickly shield fern
Polystichum makinoi
Makino's holly fern
Polystichum munitum
Sword fern, Western holly fern
Polystichum polyblepharum
Japanese tassel fern, Tassel fern, Bristle fern, Fern of eyelashes