hard shield fern
Also known as: prickly shield fern
P. aculeatum is an evergreen fern forming a neat rosette of bipinnate, erect or arching, leathery dark green, narrowly lanceolate fronds to 90cm long, with slightly prickly pinnules
Scientific classification
- Species
- hard shield fern (Polystichum aculeatum)
- Genus
- Polystichum
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
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- Toxicity
- Ferns
- Plant type
- 0.5-1 metres
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- Evergreen
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
- Season of interest
- Full shade · Partial shade
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
hard shield fern pictures
Distribution of hard shield fern
Distribution map
Europe
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Culture
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Toxicity
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Quick identification of hard shield fern
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hard shield fern care guide
- Maintain cool damp soil, mist fronds regularly in dry indoor air
- Watering
- Full shade · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Maintain cool damp soil, mist fronds regularly in dry indoor air
Fertilizing
FertilizingDiluted low-strength foliage fertilizer every four weeks spring to fall
Pruning
PruningRemove dead fronds before new ones unfurl
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by spores, sow spores at 15-16°C (59-61°F) when ripe. Divide rhizomes in spring or detach fronds bearing bulbils in autumn
Growing
GrowingGrow in fertile, humus-rich well-drained soil in deep or partial shade; protect the crowns from excessive winter wet and provide a mulch around the crown to prevent crown drying out
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
Dense plantings may be affected by grey moulds (botrytis) or the fungal disease Taphrina wettsteiniana
Pests
Generally trouble free
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