What hardiness zones is Polystichum setiferum suitable for?

Polystichum setiferum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Polystichum setiferum?

Polystichum setiferum requires Full Shade.

How much water does Polystichum setiferum need?

Polystichum setiferum has Medium water needs.

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Ferns

Polystichum setiferum

soft shield fern

Dryopteridaceae

Europe, western Asia, and North Africa

At a Glance

TypeFern

HabitClumping

FoliageEvergreen

Height1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm)

Width2-4 feet (60-120 cm)

Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant

Container Friendly

Maintenancevery low

Overview

A medium-sized, clump-forming evergreen to semi-evergreen fern reaching 1.5-3 feet (45-90 cm) tall and 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) wide. Growth rate is moderate, producing 10-20 new fronds per year from a central rhizome crown. Fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate (two to three times divided), broadly lance-shaped, 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) long and 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) wide, arching gracefully to form a shuttlecock-like rosette. The distinguishing feature is the soft, feathery texture of the fronds — the pinnae and pinnules are divided into numerous small, finely toothed segments that give the foliage a lacy, delicate quality markedly different from the coarser, leathery texture of P. munitum or the glossy firmness of P. polyblepharum. Frond color is medium to dark green, with a matte rather than glossy surface. The stipe (frond stem) and rachis are covered in dense pale brown to golden scales. Fronds are evergreen in mild winters but may become tattered or semi-deciduous in zones 5-6. Sori appear as round dots on the underside of fertile pinnules. Numerous cultivars have been selected for variations in frond division, including the Divisilobum Group with extremely finely divided, lace-like fronds and the Plumoso-Divisilobum Group with feathery, moss-like divisions. Some cultivars produce bulbils (small plantlets) along the rachis, which root on contact with soil. Hardy to approximately -10 to 0°F (-23 to -18°C).

Native Range

Native to Europe, from the British Isles and Scandinavia south through the Mediterranean region, and extending into western Asia and North Africa. Found in moist woodland understories, hedgerows, stream banks, and shaded rocky slopes from sea level to approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m).

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a specimen or accent fern in shade and woodland gardens at 2-3 foot (60-90 cm) spacing. The soft, lacy texture provides contrast with coarser-leaved shade plants and with the more rigid fronds of P. munitum. The Divisilobum and Plumoso-Divisilobum cultivar groups are among the most finely textured ferns available for garden use. Suitable for containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). Combines well with hellebores, epimediums, hostas, and pulmonarias.

How to Identify

Distinguished by the soft, feathery, finely divided fronds that create a lacy texture markedly different from other Polystichum species. Fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate, with numerous small, finely toothed segments. The texture is soft to the touch — not leathery (as in P. munitum) or glossy-firm (as in P. polyblepharum). The matte (vs. glossy) frond surface and the pale brown to golden scales on the stipe and rachis are further identifying features. Some cultivars produce small bulbils along the rachis. The Divisilobum cultivars are especially finely divided and lace-like.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

medium green

dark green

Bloom Information

As a fern, this species does not produce flowers. Spores are produced in sori on the undersides of fertile fronds in summer. New fiddleheads emerge in April to May.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Not applicable (fern)

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green, matte surface

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 1-4 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamchalkpeat

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil with pH 5.5-7.0. More tolerant of alkaline soils than many ferns. Requires consistent moisture; does not tolerate prolonged summer drought as well as P. munitum. Water regularly during dry periods. Mulch with 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of leaf litter or composted bark. In zones 5-6, fronds may become tattered by late winter; leave in place for crown protection until new growth emerges. No serious pest or disease problems. Slugs may occasionally damage new fiddleheads in spring.

Pruning

Remove old, tattered fronds at the base of the crown in late March to early April as new fiddleheads begin to emerge. In mild winters (zones 7-8), evergreen fronds may remain attractive through winter and need not be removed until new growth appears. Do not damage the central crown. Some cultivars produce bulbils along the rachis; peg fronds to the soil surface to encourage rooting of bulbils for propagation.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic