Polystichum braunii
Braun's hollyfern, Shield fern, Tassel fern
- Height × spread
- 0.65m × 0.5m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Generally available in Autumn & Winter, some in Spring
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A handsome fern that makes a spreading fan shape from an upright rhizome at the centre. The fronds are long and are a slender lance shape. The individual pinnae (the clusters of leaves on each stem) are long and slender, closely packed with dainty leaflets. The short stem (the stipe) that holds each frond is white when young and quite quickly turns brown. This is happiest in a cool position where there is always moisture available. It enjoys humidity. The young growth can sometimes be damaged by late frosts.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.65m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Shady court
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Deer resistant
- Walls
- East, North facing
- 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 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
Polystichum setiferum
Soft shield fern, Hedge fern, English hedge fern