About this cultivar:
Polystichum setiferum Plumosum Group Group ferns are bushy, evergreen ferns with soft, overlapping, often horizontal fronds. Fronds have a very lacy, graceful, multi-layered appearance. Hence 'Plumosum' which means feather like....
Specific epithet of the species comes from the Latin words setae meaning bristles and fer meaning bearing in reference to the bristle-toothed pinnae. Commonly it is called the soft shield fern or mossy shield fern.
Great to make a groovy, psychedelic, textured statement in the garden, reminiscent of an Escher painting!
- Position: Full shade, partial shade
- Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
- Flowers: -
- Other features: Grows well in Ballyrobert, Woodland Plant, Dappled Shade or Full Shade Loving, Interesting Foliage or Fruit
- Hardiness: H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20°C), Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Habit: Tufted, Clump forming
- Foliage: Evergreen
- Height: 60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 ft)
- Spread: 45 - 75 cm (1.5 - 2.5 ft)
- Time to full growth: 5 to 10 years
- Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial, fern
- Colour: Green
- Goes well with: Shade
About this genus:
Polystichum is a large genus of 260 knows species of mostly evergreen ferns that occur around the world in a wide variety of habitats, but primarily in moist but well-drained, temperate woodlands. The highest species diversity is in eastern Asia, then the region from Mexico to Brazil, Africa, North America, and lowest in Europe.
The genus name comes from the Greek words ‘polys’ meaning many and ‘stichos’ meaning in a row (in reference to its spore cases being in rows).
In the garden these ferns produce some of the most elegant, easy-to-grow and garden worthy specimens of any fern genus. Many species are perfect for the partially shaded perennial border, rock garden, or as specimen plants. The stiff texture makes Polystichum fronds a popular decoration in floral arrangements and centrepieces. They pair well with woodland plants such as Primula, Hosta, and Helleborus.