This hardy terrestrial evergreen fern has a scaly rhizome with ascending feathery foliage and forms a clump. The dark green soft textured divided lance-shaped fronds arch outwards and the fertile fronds produce yellowish spores during summer.

Hardiness zones 5 to 9

Polystichum setiferum is naturally found from a western to southern Europe and east to Caspian growing in the understory of deciduous woodlands and at higher altitudes amongst rock outcrops. It is commonly found along the margins of creeks or in moist gullies. 

It prefers a semi-shaded to shaded protected position and it grows in well-drained organic rich moist sandy to clay soils that are tending acidic. It is rabbit and deer resistant and is frost and drought tolerant.

The Soft Shield Fern is grown for its spreading habit and attractive foliage. This plant along borders in parks and gardens or mass planted on shaded embankments and as an understory in the woodland setting. It is also grown around water features for a tropical effect and used in patio pots and planter boxes. 

It is suitable for coastal and low mountain regions tolerating cold conditions and establishes in 2-3 years. This hardly fern is also grown in moist rock crevices or in larger shaded rockeries and naturalises under ideal conditions. ID 2890

Polystichum (POH-lee-STEE-kum) setiferum (set-EE-fer-um)

Dryopteridaceae (DRY-op-TER-ee-DAY-see-ee)