Evergreen British native fern with arching feathery soft-textured fronds, finely divided and gracefully curved. Among the most reliable evergreen ferns for shade gardens.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 6–9 | −23.3 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H5 | −15 °C to −10 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 6–8 | −18 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Plant in dappled shade — provides year-round texture and structure where most perennials disappear in winter
- Evergreen — cut out only the oldest fronds in spring as new growth begins
- Native to British woodland — the standard shade-garden fern in cool maritime climates
- Many forms exist — ‘Plumosum Densum’ has particularly fine soft fronds
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Soft shield fern against your zones