Polystichum polyblepharum

Polystichum polyblepharum: Glossy Evergreen Fronds With Flipped Tips

Glossy, evergreen fronds with new tips that flop over like little tassels on a graduation cap. This fern is ready to walk the stage. HONOURS IN SHADE STUDIES.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Polystichum polyblepharum
• Common Name: Japanese Tassel Fern
• Height: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: None; ferns reproduce by spores
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, evergreen fronds with overlapping leaflets on brown, scaly stems; new fronds have drooping "tassel" tips
• Features: Evergreen

Where to Plant: Its tidy shape and shine make it a natural for the front of a shady border, a woodland path or a shaded container. Plant it in groups for a polished look under trees.

Companion Plants: Use the glossy fronds of tassel fern in a moist, shady bed with pink heuchera, a gold hosta and a tall cinnamon fern. Heuchera 'Paris' adds deep rose-pink bells at 25 cm from May to August. Hosta 'Stained Glass' brings bright gold leaves with green edges at 40 to 50 cm. Osmundastrum cinnamomeum rises behind at 90 to 150 cm with cinnamon fern fronds. Liriope 'Big Blue' edges the front with grass-like leaves and violet spikes at 30 to 45 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in part to full shade in consistently moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Good drainage matters, because a soggy crown can rot. Add compost to heavy clay, and mulch to keep the roots cool. Water during dry spells. It's rated to zone 5, so in colder parts of our region choose a sheltered spot out of drying winter wind, and add a loose mulch of leaves over the crown in late fall. Don't cut it back in fall; in early spring, trim off any fronds that winter has damaged before new growth starts. It grows slowly and rarely needs dividing.

History: The Japanese tassel fern is native to the shaded forests of Japan and South Korea. The species name polyblepharum comes from Greek for "many eyelashes," a reference to the bristly scales on its stems.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, low maintenance and green all year. Tuck it near the front walk so you can admire the tassels. CLASS OF EVERY YEAR.