Polystichum Setiferum Herrenhausen Soft Shield Fern

Polystichum Setiferum Herrenhausen is more commonly known as the Soft Shield Fern. Polystichum Setiferum ferns are native to Britain. The hybrid Herrenhausen fern of the family is named after a royal garden in Germany. The Soft Shield Fern is a semi-evergreen, meaning it has foliage all summer and for much of the rest of the year as new fronds begin to grow as the old ones die back. 

Polystichum Setiferum Herrenhausen foliage develops like pointed filigree lace lengthening into single fronds that can reach up to a metre in length. Its feather-like fronds develop from tiny curled ovals that gradually unfurl. The foliage is long-lasting, bright green and soft. More established specimens grow as mounds whilst the younger ones appear more like upright shuttlecocks. Soft Shield ferns are non-flowering but spread via rhizones beneath the earth. 
Polystichum Setiferum Herrenhausen is very hardy and tolerant of all weather conditions throughout Europe as would be expected of a plant native to Britain. It will tolerate most soils and some dryness but will burn and blister in direct sunlight. 

How To Use Polystichum Setiferum Herrenhausen
Soft Shield Ferns are plants for shady areas. They cannot tolerate hot sun. This means they are perfect for shaded spaces such as under a tall fence, beneath a tree, or as part of a shady, damp mixed border. Shaded banks are ideal as soft shield ferns can grip onto almost vertical surfaces.
They look stunning in shaded rock gardens and also thrive in posts if they are watered sufficiently. When grown in containers soft shields ferns can be transported around the garden to cover dead or unsightly areas for the majority of months.
Wildlife gardens, woodland gardens and mixed borders benefit from soft shield ferns. When placed with other moisture loving shrubs their pointed, textured foliage contrasts nicely with bright blooms and rounded leaves. Try planting soft shield ferns with camellias, holly and other species of shiny ferns such as the evergreen Asplenium Scolopendrium Angustatum or Hart’s Tongue fern.

How To Care For Polystichum Setiferum Herrenhausen
To get the best from your soft shield fern you will need to select a shady and damp area. They need little care when planted in the correct conditions but will benefit from thick mulch in the spring.
If needed you can cut back dead foliage to maintain a tidy appearance, or simply leave them as new foliage will appear soon after. Dead or damaged fronds can be removed at any point. 
Beautiful, native Soft Shield Ferns are a good choice for a shady garden or shady areas in any garden. They are low maintenance, structural and textural plants that provide a green splash of colour for the majority of the year.