Polypodiaceae
Common sword fern
Polystichum munitum
Also known as Polystichum munitum subsp. inciso-serratum, Polystichum plumula, Aspidium munitum var. incisoserratum, Polystichum munitum subsp. solitarium
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Fern · Shade · Woodland · Native · Groundcover · Evergreen · Pacific-Northwest · Low-Maintenance · Perennial
Western sword fern is a robust, low-maintenance fern ideal for shaded garden beds and woodland gardens in the Pacific Northwest and similar climates. Plant in well-draining, humus-rich soil and water regularly until established, after which it is surprisingly resilient. Remove old fronds in late winter to encourage fresh new growth each spring.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply until soil is evenly moist; allow top inch to dry between waterings · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.5
- Temperature
- 0°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Cutting
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 2 ft – 5 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 36 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alaska, Belgium, British Columbia, California, Germany, Great Britain, Idaho, Ireland, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Northwest, Montana, Netherlands, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington
- Attracts
- Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
More Polystichum
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Polystichum imbricans subsp. curtum
Polystichum imbricans subsp. curtum
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