Polystichum set’ Proliferum

Description

Polystichum setiferum ‘Proliferum’ – soft shield fern

Botanical name: Polystichum setiferum ‘Proliferum’
Common names: Soft shield fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Plant type: Evergreen fern
Habit: Clump-forming, low, arching, spreading
Pot size: 3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 60–90cm tall × 90cm spread
Foliage: Soft, finely divided, lacy mid-green fronds, often bearing tiny plantlets (bulbils) along the midrib; evergreen
Flowers: None — ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates lime and drier shade; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–8
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Selected form; the species is native to Europe including the UK
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Polystichum setiferum ‘Proliferum’ is a soft shield fern with lacy, finely divided fronds that produce tiny plantlets along their midribs. Elegant and evergreen, it is superb for shady and woodland borders.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the loveliest and most useful of the soft shield ferns, ‘Proliferum’ forms low, spreading rosettes of soft, lacy, finely divided fronds, and produces little plantlets (bulbils) along the frond midribs — an easy and charming way to raise new ferns. Evergreen and tolerant of drier shade and lime, it is graceful and dependable.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Work in leaf mould or compost to hold moisture, and space according to the ultimate size, generally about 45–60cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil from drying out, especially while establishing, and mulch with leaf mould in autumn. Remove old, tatty or frost-burnt fronds in early spring before the new growth unfurls. No feeding is usually needed beyond an annual mulch.

Propagation

• Bulbils (plantlets): Peg a mature frond down onto moist compost; the plantlets along the midrib will root, then can be detached and potted on — an easy method unique to this proliferous form.
• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.
• Spores: Can be raised from spores sown on moist, sterile compost, though this is slow and specialised.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and robust. Slugs and snails may graze the soft young fronds as they unfurl in spring, and fronds can scorch in dry or exposed positions. Moist soil and shelter keep it looking its best.

Uses in the garden

Superb for shady and woodland borders, shaded banks and the front of shaded beds, where its soft, lacy, spreading fronds give elegant texture and groundcover

Wildlife value

The fronds and crown provide cover and shelter for small invertebrates through the year.

Toxicity & safety

Ferns are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets, though as with all ornamental plants they are not intended for eating.

GardenAdvice tip

The lovely thing about ‘Proliferum’ is that it grows its own babies — tiny plantlets form along the frond midribs, and you can peg a mature frond down onto compost to root them, giving you free new ferns. It’s an easy, elegant evergreen for shade that tolerates drier, limy conditions too.

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