Polystichum neolobatum - Shield Fern

Polystichum neolobatum is an Asian fern remarkable both for its ornamental qualities and its robustness, and undoubtedly one of the best evergreen species. It is also known as the Sword Fern due to its tough foliage, cut into rough and sharp pinnae. This polystichum develops beautifully carved fronds of a glossy green colour, beautiful all year round and unaffected by bad weather. In spring, its young shoots, shaped like croziers, unfurl under rusty scales. Of medium size, with a rather upright habit, the plant will benefit from being planted in groups of 3 to 5 specimens. It is easy to grow in shady positions, in non-calcareous and well-drained soil.

Polystichum neolobatum is a very hardy botanical species native to the Himalayas, China, Japan, and Taiwan. It is a perennial plant of the Dryopteridaceae family. Growing quite slowly, this fern forms a tussock 60 cm (24 in) high and about 50 cm (20 in) wide at the base. Its stump is anchored on an erect rhizome. The young shoots and petioles that bear the leaves are covered with a thick layer of mahogany-coloured scales. The fronds have a bipinnate, lanceolate-shaped lamina, deeply divided into 25 to 30 pairs of toothed pinnules, equipped with spines. Each frond persists until spring, then dries up as the spectacular young shoots, in the form of rusty croziers, appear.

The Polystichum genus is very diverse and particularly decorative throughout the year in most species and varieties. The Asian sword fern is a particularly hardy species (down to -22 °C (-7.6 °F)) that adapts to many shady situations, even fairly dry ones. This variety can be adopted in most regions, by carefully choosing its location, as this plant deserves to be highlighted: at the bend of a shaded path or in the undergrowth, it can be associated with simple and undemanding plants such as butcher's broom, holly, mahonias, or creeping cotoneasters. It also pairs well with bamboo, shrubby fuchsias, nandinas, and hostas (the "Empress Wu" hosta, a giant, has a great effect). Ferns are beautiful at the edge of water features or in large shaded rockeries. It can also be grown in a very large pot filled with fertile soil.