Polystichum proliferum

One of the best easy care landscaping ferns, Polystichum proliferum is commonly called the Mother Shield Fern.

It naturally forms a neat rosette of tall fronds and grows well in a shaded position in a humus rich soil.

It is not subject to many insect pests, requires little care others than a tidy up of old foliage and is suited to growing in pots and containers.

Care

Well suited for use a feature plant in the garden, or for mass planting, if you prepare the soil well this is a very easy care fern.

• Dig in good amounts of compost before planting.
• Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
• Mulch around the fern to maintain a cool moist root run.
• Prune back old growth in winter as it dies back.

Propagation is from spores or from the bulbils it forms on the fronds.

Summary Information

• Botanical Name – Polystichum proliferum
• Common Name – Mother Shield Fern
• Family – Dryopteridaceae
• Origins – Australia – East Coast.
• Height – To around 1m
• Spread To around Clumping to around .3 metres.
• Growth rate – Medium to fast
• Position – Part shade to dappled light.
• Soil – Humus rich with some moisture
• Flowering Time – N/A
• Foliage – Mid to deep green.
• Frost tolerant – Yes.
• Drought tolerant – Medium.

Polystichum proliferum – Mother Shield Fern is available for sale from the following participating nurseries