Polystichum setiferum
Soft shield fern, Hedge fern, English hedge fern
Also known as Polystichum angulare
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 1.2m × 0.75m – 1.2m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A common British native that is found in woodlands and hedges. It makes a handsome spreading plant with long tapering fronds, that in the species are closely packed with side-fronds (pinnae). There are many cultivars that include crested forms where the tips of the fronds are embellished. There are dwarf forms such as 'Congestum' group and the frilly, dissected leaves of the 'Plumosum' forms. The fronds can measure as much as a metre in length in the largest forms. These ferns prefer a lightly shaded position where there is always some moisture. Ideally they enjoy a soil that is neutral or just slightly acidic. These are evergreen and the old fronds can be carefully removed in spring as the picturesque, coiled young fronds emerge.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome, Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.75m – 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Rock garden, Prairie garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant
- 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
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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