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Polystichum makinoi
Makino's holly fern
Overview
Polystichum makinoi is an evergreen fern reaching 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide, with an upright to slightly arching vase-shaped habit. The species is a Japanese holly fern named for the botanist Tomitaro Makino (1862–1957), whose taxonomic work established the modern framework for Japanese plant identification. Fronds are once-pinnate, 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) long and 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) wide, with narrow lanceolate pinnae arranged in ladder-like rows along a dark brown to near-black rachis. The pinnae carry a glossy dark green upper surface that reads as lacquered in direct light, with finely serrated margins and a subtle ear-shaped auricle at the pinna base — the auricle being a genus-level trait shared across Polystichum spp. holly ferns. Fiddleheads emerge in April through May covered in silvery-brown scales that persist on the rachis of young fronds. Pinna width averages 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm), narrower than the 0.6–0.9 inch (15–23 mm) pinnae of the related P. neolobatum and producing a narrower-pinnaed frond architecture overall. Growth rate is moderate; the clump reaches full mature size in 3 growing seasons. Hardy to USDA zone 6. Not known to be toxic to pets or humans.
Native Range
Polystichum makinoi is native to Japan, occurring in moist montane forests and shaded rocky slopes from low to moderate elevations on Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku.Suggested Uses
Used in shaded mixed perennial borders, woodland garden plantings, along shaded paths, at the base of deciduous trees, in north-facing foundation beds, or in shaded containers at 15–18 inch (38–45 cm) spacing. The glossy lacquered frond surface catches filtered light in shaded positions where matte-surfaced ferns fade visually, making the species a foliage-contrast partner for other shade plants with matte textures such as Hosta spp., Tiarella spp., or Heuchera spp.. Narrower-pinnaed frond architecture than P. neolobatum suits smaller-scale plantings where the bolder neolobatum would overwhelm the composition. The plant does not grow well in full sun (frond scorch), dry soils, exposed windy positions, or climates below USDA zone 6.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Ferns reproduce by spores rather than flowers. Sori are round 1–2 mm clusters of spore-producing sporangia borne on the underside of fertile fronds in two rows along each pinna midrib, each sorus covered by a round peltate indusium. Spore production runs July through September on mature plants. Evergreen frond display holds year-round in USDA zones 7 and warmer, with frond dieback to the crown in colder zones after hard frost.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green with lacquered surface sheen; once-pinnate fronds 12-18 inches long and 3-4 inches wide with narrow lanceolate pinnae 0.3-0.5 inch wide and finely serrated margins; dark brown to near-black rachis; silvery-brown-scaled fiddleheads in springGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in partial to full shade with 2–4 hours of direct or filtered light in moist, humus-rich, well-drained loam, peat, or silt at pH 5.5–7.0. Consistent soil moisture is needed through the growing season — the plant is not drought-tolerant and shows frond-tip browning and premature dieback within 2–3 weeks of sustained dry conditions. Water deeply once per week during dry periods from May through September. Apply 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of shredded leaf mulch or pine-needle mulch over the root zone in spring to retain moisture and replicate native forest-floor conditions. Wind shelter is needed — exposed positions cause frond desiccation and browning in winter in USDA zones 6–7. The evergreen fronds persist through winter in USDA zones 7 and warmer; in colder zones the fronds die back and new fronds emerge from the crown in spring. Hardy to USDA zone 6.Pruning
Remove old tattered fronds in late winter (February–March) before new fiddleheads emerge from the crown. Cut fronds at the base with clean pruners to avoid tearing the crown. No other pruning is needed through the growing season.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons