The Hedge Fern or Soft Shield Ferns is a tufted evergreen in which its fronds curve outwards from the center of the plant, giving a whirlwind appearance when viewed from above. It does best grown in part to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Too much sun may cause the fronds yellow. Cut down the fronds in February-March, before the new fronds emerge. May remain evergreen in mild winter regions, otherwise semi-evergreen. Most likely in the winter, crown rot may occur if the soil is not well-drained. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . More information on Polystichum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheLamium maculatum 'Aureum'Viola odoratax Heucherella
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Fern; Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.