FernsPolystichum setiferum
Soft Shield Fern
The soft shield fern is an elegant, evergreen fern with finely divided, soft green fronds that arch gracefully outwards. The plant forms a beautiful rosette and fits perfectly in shady borders and woodland gardens. Mature specimens can reach up to 120 centimetres across.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Partial shade, Full shade
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 50–120 cm
- Spread
- 60–120 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 5–8
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Wildlife value
- ground-nesting birds, insects
Care guide
Plant in partial shade or full shade in moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil. The fern does not tolerate drying out, so keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Apply a layer of leaf compost around the base as mulch. Protect plants in their first year during hard frosts with a layer of straw.
Pruning tips
Remove old, brown fronds in early spring before the new fiddleheads unfurl. Cut the fronds low to the ground — fresh growth emerges from the crown of the plant.
Good companions
Ground coverAjuga reptans
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a robust ground cover that spreads rapidly through runners. From April to June, dense spikes of blue-purple flowers rise above the dark green, glossy foliage. The plant is evergreen and forms a continuous carpet within a single growing season.
TreesAcer palmatum
Japanese Maple
The Japanese maple is a graceful tree or large shrub with deeply lobed, palmate leaves that turn spectacular shades of red, orange, or gold in autumn. Its elegant growth habit makes it a focal point in any garden. Hundreds of cultivars exist, from compact and rounded to broad and spreading.
Aquatic plantsNymphaea alba
White Water Lily
The white water lily is an iconic aquatic plant with large, round floating leaves and elegant white flowers that rest on the water surface. The blooms open in the morning and close in the afternoon, from June through September. The plant provides shade and shelter for fish and amphibians beneath its leaves.