{"product_id":"polystichum-rigens","title":"Polystichum rigens","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolystichum rigens\u003c\/strong\u003e, the rigid holly fern, is a compact, slow-growing evergreen from the woodlands of Japan, Korea and China. Its narrowly triangular, twice-divided fronds are stiff and leathery with a slightly rough surface and sharply toothed, pointed segments, held in a neat, low shuttlecock. Where our Japanese tassel fern (\u003ca href=\"\/products\/polystichum-polyblepharum\"\u003ePolystichum polyblepharum\u003c\/a\u003e) is glossy and full, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/polystichum-setiferum\"\u003esoft shield fern\u003c\/a\u003e (P. setiferum) is feathery and lax, and P. tsus-simense is small and finely cut, rigens brings a firm, prickly texture and an upright poise that \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003eholds its shape all year\u003c\/a\u003e, and it stays small enough for the very front of a border.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness and seasons.\u003c\/strong\u003e The RHS rates it H5, hardy to around -15C, and several UK growers find it tougher still. The fronds are evergreen, so the clump keeps its structure through winter; in a very hard winter it may lose some fronds and regrow from the crown in spring, when fresh croziers push up through the old growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow and where to grow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in partial or full shade, sheltered from cold, drying winds, in moist but well-drained soil enriched with leaf mould or garden compost. It prefers acid to neutral ground on clay or loam. Water well through the first year; once settled it needs little attention. It is slow and stays compact, usually 30 to 50cm tall and wide after two to five years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUsing it in the garden.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is an ideal edging fern for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eshady border\u003c\/a\u003e, a woodland path or a rock garden, and it is neat enough for a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epot\u003c\/a\u003e by a north or east facing door. Pair it with epimediums, hellebores and smaller hostas, or plant it in front of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-ferns\"\u003elarger ferns\u003c\/a\u003e such as the western sword fern so its stiff, toothed fronds read clearly against softer foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"8.5cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":58254018216319,"sku":"POLYRIGEN85","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/ringen.jpg?v=1787851915","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/polystichum-rigens","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}