Soft Shield Fern

Polystichumsetiferum

Genus
Polystichum (pol-IS-tick-um)
Species
setiferum (set-EE-fer-um)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
N/A
Other Details
Category
Ferns
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From spores
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Weymouth, Massachusetts

Brooklyn, New York

Astoria, Oregon

Hubbard, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Conway, South Carolina

Livingston, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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R
Downingtown, PA | March 2016 | neutral

It is a pretty-looking European fern that is easy to grow and soft to touch.

K
Astoria, OR | August 2010 | positive

beautiful, soft, wide, drooping, triangular shaped fronds. Bought in 6" pot 2009, living on shaded deck in 14" pot 2010. Was slow to pr...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | December 2003 | neutral

This fern is actually hardy warmer climates listed (grows fine right up to zone 10a here in So Cal). This is a European fern commonly gr...Read More

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