Polystichum

Year-round foliage gives Polystichum ferns an advantage in shady planting long after many herbaceous neighbours have disappeared. Commonly known as shield ferns, these handsome hardy ferns form orderly rosettes of divided green fronds, ranging from firm and architectural to wonderfully soft and lace-like depending on the variety. Fresh croziers unfurl in spring, often with attractive silvery or bronze scales, gradually expanding into dense, layered foliage that gives woodland gardens and shady borders a settled, established feel.

Most Polystichum varieties are evergreen or semi-evergreen and thrive in cool, humus-rich, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. They are particularly useful beneath trees and shrubs, along north- or east-facing borders and anywhere that needs dependable foliage in partial or deeper shade. Soft shield ferns, including Polystichum setiferum, have especially finely divided fronds, while other varieties offer firmer foliage and more upright forms, giving plenty of choice for contrasting textures within a shade planting scheme.

Among the most dependable hardy ferns for UK gardens, Polystichum combines beautifully with hostas, Epimedium, hellebores and other woodland perennials while providing valuable structure through much of the year. Plant a single specimen to appreciate the intricate fronds up close, or repeat several shield ferns beneath shrubs and trees to create a richly layered, naturally woodland-like floor.