Buy Japanese tassel fern Polystichum polyblepharum

Polystichum polyblepharum

Japanese lace fern

Very stiff, erect, lance-shaped, fronds form a distinctive shuttlecock- like shape, which is useful for adding structure and visual appeal to mixed or naturalised planting schemes.

The Japanese lace fern (Polystichum polyblepharum) is evergreen, and the finely divided foliage is particularly lovely in spring, when accented by golden hairs as it unfurls, or in winter, when dusted with a layer of frost.

How to care for Polystichum polyblepharum:

Plant Polystichum in partial or full shade where the soil stays cool and evenly moist, such as in woodland-style borders, or along a shaded path. Work plenty of leaf mould, composted pine needles, or garden compost into the planting hole to create a rich, humus-filled soil the fern will root into easily. Keep the plant well watered while it establishes, especially in warm spells, and use a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to support steady frond growth.

Despite the plant being evergreen, you can cut back old foliage in early January to make space for spring bulbs, or leave it in place for winter cover and remove it in April as the fresh fronds start to unfurl. Once settled, this fern is easy to maintain and copes well with long-term shade and damp soil.

Eventual height:

0.8m

Eventual spread:

0.9m

Position:

Light shade / shade

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Fully hardy