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Polystichum setiferum is often confused with:
Polystichum braunii Polystichum braunii
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Lamium maculatum 'Aureum' Form
Viola odorata In Full Flower
x Heucherella Heucherella

Soft Shield Fern Polystichum setiferum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
pol-IS-tick-um seh-TIH-fer-um
Description

The Hedge Fern or Soft Shield Ferns is a tufted evergreen in which its fronds curve outwards from the center of the plant, giving a whirlwind appearance when viewed from above.

It does best grown in part to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soil.  Too much sun may cause the fronds yellow.

Cut down the fronds in February-March, before the new fronds emerge.

May remain evergreen in mild winter regions, otherwise semi-evergreen.

Most likely in the winter, crown rot may occur if the soil is not well-drained.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Mossy Mama'
  • 'Plumosum Densum'
'Mossy Mama', 'Plumosum Densum'
Tags:
#evergreen#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#winter interest#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#container plant#wildlife friendly#woodland#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Mossy Mama'
  • 'Plumosum Densum'
'Mossy Mama', 'Plumosum Densum'
Tags:
#evergreen#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#winter interest#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#sandy soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#container plant#wildlife friendly#woodland#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polystichum
    Species:
    setiferum
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Macaronesia, Mediterranean to Iran
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Textural
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Rhomboidal
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Tufted, drooping fronds; mat, light green blade; scaly stalk; short-stemmed pinnulae; soft texture; twice divided pinnae have stalked linear-lanceolate pinnules with soft bristly tips on margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stalks are covered with cinnamon-brown scales.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Rabbits