Soft Shield Fern Dahlem

A striking German cultivar of the soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum Dahlem is known for its unusually erect, architectural habit and beautifully divided, bright green fronds. It forms a robust, clump-forming evergreen rosette, holding its tall, feathery fronds more upright than other varieties, making it an outstanding choice for adding structure and height to shady borders, woodland gardens, or steep banks. The delicate, lance-shaped fronds emerge in Spring as soft, scaled croziers before unfurling into a dense shuttlecock-like crown that retains its rich green colour right through Autumn and Winter; clearing old fronds in early Spring allows the fresh new growth to emerge cleanly. Exceptionally hardy and easy to grow, it looks wonderful planted alongside early Spring bulbs, hostas, and wood anemones. Soft shield fern 'Dahlem' takes its name from the famous Dahlem Botanical Garden in Berlin where this exceptional selection was identified.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil, dislikes waterlogged soil. 
Position: Full shade, partial shade
Season of interest: All year
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 1.6-2.6ft (50-80cm) Spread: 2-3ft (60-90cm)

Images by Leonora (Ellie) Enking cropped and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0