Tassel Fern Polystichum polyblepharum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Polystichum setosum
- Phonetic Spelling
- pol-IS-tick-um pol-ee-BLEF-ar-um
- Description
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Excellent choice for partial shade to shade areas in the garden including borders, foundations, woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Plant in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Crown rot in poorly drained soil.
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:
- Shade Garden at the New Hanover County Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Polystichum
- Species:
- polyblepharum
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China , South Korea and Japan
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer or rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Vase
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped, shiny, bipinnate, dark green fronds (to 1-2’ long) come out from a central crown. They are finely divided with golden hairs and have overlapping pinnae. As fronds unfurl, crosiers flip over backward to form lax tassels, hence the common name. Tassles disappear as fronds mature and flatten. Bristly scales are found on the stipe and rachis.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
