{"product_id":"polystichum-setiferum","title":"Polystichum setiferum","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of our most elegant \u003cstrong\u003ehardy ferns\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cem\u003ePolystichum setiferum\u003c\/em\u003e, the soft shield fern, brings a soft, almost feathery texture to the shade garden that few other plants can match. Native to the woodlands of southern and western Europe, it has long been a connoisseur's favourite, and it holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit in recognition of its reliability and good looks. The finely divided fronds are softer to the touch than those of most ferns, arching outwards from a central crown in a relaxed shuttlecock that catches low light beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs one of the best \u003cstrong\u003eevergreen ferns\u003c\/strong\u003e for UK gardens, \u003cem\u003ePolystichum setiferum\u003c\/em\u003e earns its keep year-round. In all but the harshest winters it holds its fresh green fronds, providing structure and colour when the border is otherwise bare, before sending up a flush of tightly coiled croziers in spring. It is fully hardy, shrugging off temperatures down to around -20C, which makes it a cornerstone plant for any hardy exotic planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow it\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike most \u003cstrong\u003ehardy ferns\u003c\/strong\u003e in the UK, this is a shade-lover. Give it partial or full shade, a north or east-facing border, the base of a wall, or a woodland-style planting all suit it perfectly. It is wonderfully unfussy about soil, growing happily on chalk, clay, loam or sand, provided the ground is moist but well-drained and enriched with leaf mould or compost. Mulch in spring to lock in moisture and the fern will all but look after itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade, sheltered from harsh wind\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEventual size:\u003c\/strong\u003e around 60-90cm tall and wide, reaching full size in 5-10 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e simply cut away tired old fronds in late winter before new growth appears\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eClump-forming and well-behaved, \u003cem\u003ePolystichum setiferum\u003c\/em\u003e never becomes a nuisance, instead settling into a graceful, slowly expanding crown. It is equally at home in a large shaded container or threaded through a mixed border alongside hostas, heucheras and spring bulbs. Every fern we send out is a strong, well-rooted specimen, grown on with care and ready to establish quickly in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm","offer_id":57809541562751,"sku":"POLYSETI11","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/polystichum-setiferum","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}