Description
Polystichum – Shield Fern –
There are about 200 species of usually evergreen, terrestrial ferns in this genus. They occur in a range of habitats, from alpine cliffs to tropical forest worldwide. They are grown for their often lance shaped, pinnate to 3 pinnate fronds, which arise from erect or short creeping rhizomes, usually in shapely, shuttlecock crowns. The pinnae are sometimes lobed, each lobe ending in a sharp point or bristle. Sori are borne on the undersides of the fronds, each usually protected by a rounded indusium. Grow in a rock garden, fernery, or well drained border, or as a groundcover in woodland setting.
Grow in fertile, humus rich, well drained soil in deep or partial shade. Remove dead fronds before new ones unfurl. Divide in spring.
P. acrostichoides – Christmas Fern – This terrestrial, evergreen fern from Northeastern North America grows 18-30″ tall and 36″ wide. It produces shuttlecock of narrowly lance shaped, pinnate, dark green, leathery fronds, 24″ long, with small pinnae. Fronds emerge silvery white and mature to dark green. Fertile fronds narrow abruptly toward the tips where the sori occur.
Zones 3-8
