Polystichum setiferum Herrenhausen - Soft Shield Fern

Polystichum setiferum Herrenhausen is a superb German selection of Soft Shield Fern with stiff cilia. It is a fern of beautiful stature with large, finely divided fronds that will charm you with the delicacy of its foliage and the majesty of its gracefully spreading habit. This hardy variety remains decorative in winter and is quite easy to grow in shady, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Plant it in the undergrowth, among the stones of a large shaded rockery, or near a water feature, and it will work wonders alongside Hostas, Japanese herbs, and Astrances.

Polystichum setiferum, formerly known as Polystichum angulare, is a botanical species native to Great Britain and Western Europe, especially Southern Europe, as well as temperate Asia and North Africa. The natural habitat of this fern consists of woods and shaded ravines at low altitudes. It is a perennial plant of the Dryopteridaceae family, originating from more than 300 cultivars, some better differentiated than others, including the 'Herrenhausen' variety discovered in Germany by the botanist, Richard Maatsch.

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen' distinguishes itself from the type species by the increased width of its fronds and their tendency to arch, giving the plant a particularly magnificent spreading habit. This variety also produces "keikis" (miniature ferns or bulblets) along the rachis of the lower fronds. The plant grows into a loose clump, about 80 cm (32 in) tall and 1 m (3 ft) wide. The fronds have an expanded lamina in the centre, strongly divided into 30 to 40 pairs of dentate and undulate pinnae, covered in bristles. The petiole of each frond is very scaly and brown. The laminae, lanceolate in shape, have a somewhat soft texture and a medium green colour in spring, turning to dark green in summer. Each frond persists until spring, then dries up as the young shoots appear. The young croziers that emerge in spring are brown, then unfurl covered in a very pale down, taking on a silvery hue.

Polystichum setiferum 'Herrenhausen' is a fairly hardy fern (down to -18 °C (-0.4 °F) that adapts well to many cool, shady situations, in well-drained soil as it dislikes stagnant moisture. It can be grown in most regions. Its large silky fronds emerge from the shade, inviting us to touch them, whether along a shady path or spilling over large rocks in a cool rockery. In cool undergrowth, under tall trees, it can be combined with simple and undemanding plants such as lungworts, nodding perennial geraniums, or brunneras. It also pairs well with non-invasive bamboos, shrubby fuchsias, bergenias, and corydalis. Ferns are also magnificent at the edge of water features, always in shady locations. This lovely fern can also be planted in a large pot filled with fertile potting soil.