Wollaston’s Soft Shield Fern

A cultivar of the soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum Proliferum Wollaston differs from the species in having overlapping fronds, giving a dense, though lacy appearance. It is also smaller. A medium-sized semi-evergreen clump-forming fern, with a spreading ‘shuttlecock’ habit, it has soft, arching, finely divided, mid-green foliage, overlapping to form a dense clump. Protect the crowns from winter wet and cut back old foliage in spring to reveal the new growth.

Site: Sheltered
Soils: any humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil
Position: Partial shade, deep shade
Season of interest: spring, summer, autumn
Hardiness: Hardy
Height to 2’ (60cm) Spread to 18” (45cm)