Polystichum Species, Bristle Fern, Holly Fern, Japanese Lace Fern, Korean Tassel Fern

Polystichumpolyblepharum

Genus
Polystichum (pol-IS-tick-um)
Species
polyblepharum (pol-ee-BLEF-ar-um)
Synonym
Polystichum polyblepharum f. scabiosum
Polystichum polyblepharum var. scabiosum
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
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)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
N/A
Other Details
Category
Ferns
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
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:

Juneau, Alaska

El Cerrito, California

Garden Grove, California

Hayward, California

Pleasant Hill, California

Tarzana, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Pompano Beach, Florida

Athens, Georgia

Harlem, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia

Chicago, Illinois

Plainfield, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Ewing, Kentucky

Crofton, Maryland

Easton, Maryland

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Mount Olive, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina(2 reports)

Chesterland, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio

Warren, Ohio

Portland, Oregon

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Conway, South Carolina

Collierville, Tennessee

Mc Kinney, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Blacksburg, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Bellevue, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Charleston, West Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

11
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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J
Collierville, TN | October 2020 | positive

This beautiful fern is growing well in my zone 7b shade garden.g

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | October 2015 | positive

This is my favorite fern. Easy, adaptable, evergreen, clump-forming. The fronds are exceptionally glossy and look almost varnished. Very ...Read More

B
Hayward, CA | November 2012 | positive

Semi common fern..sometimes a few years can go by without seeing one for sale. Mine is years and years old...and is recovering from too m...Read More

C
McKinney, TX (Zone 8a) | March 2011 | positive

Love the gracefulness of this fern. It is a tough fern, and full shade and good moisture is probably the best condition. In Zone 8 it m...Read More

G
Oak Island, NC (Zone 8a) | April 2009 | positive

I live in zone 8a This fern does like to be watered on a regular basis, and I think part the reason it does so well for me is because it...Read More

C
El Sobrante, CA (Zone 9b) | March 2007 | positive

Polystichum polyblepharum has thrived here in zone 9b, and once established it can grow quite large in size. (I think that this fern is a...Read More

G
Crofton, MD (Zone 7a) | March 2007 | positive

Tassel Fern takes the Mid-Atlantic region's frosty winters and hot, humid summers without any problems. I planted this fern two years ago...Read More

S
Chesterland, OH (Zone 5b) | October 2004 | positive

I have to agree it is a great fern to own and easy to grow. It is hardy in Z5. The fronds are a beautiful shade of green and are glossy w...Read More

H
Cincinnati, OH (Zone 6b) | October 2004 | positive

This fern is Evergreen here in both our warmest most protected areas, which push into Zone 7 and our normal Zone 6 areas.

...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | October 2004 | positive

This is a really beautiful fern, and though I have success growing it -doesn't take much effort here- except in trying to keep it looking...Read More

T
Warren, OH | October 2004 | positive

This beautiful fern grows to 2 feet wide, excellent for shady flower bed. Keep moist at all times. Tough fern, not as delicate as others....Read More

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