✦AIPlant Details
- Common Name
- Sword Fern
- Mature Height
- 2–5 ft
- Mature Width
- 2–5 ft
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Sun Requirements
- Partial shade
Accent & Specialty
Sword Fern
The Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) is a highly adaptable and durable evergreen fern native to western North America. It features dark green, pinnate fronds that grow in a tight, radial rosette. Known for its resilience, it thrives in woodland settings and is an excellent choice for low-maintenance, shaded garden areas.
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Plant Information
Description
- The Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) is a highly adaptable and durable evergreen fern native to western North America. It features dark green
- pinnate fronds that grow in a tight
- radial rosette. Known for its resilience
- it thrives in woodland settings and is an excellent choice for low-maintenance
- shaded garden areas.
An essential plant for creating a lush, naturalistic look in shaded garden spaces.
Uses
- Ideal for woodland gardens
- shaded borders
- container gardening
- mass plantings
- and as an understory accent plant.
Key Features
- Evergreen foliage
- deer resistant
- low maintenance
- pet-friendly
- and highly adaptable to various soil types.
Planting
- Plant in well-drained
- acidic to neutral soil rich in organic matter. Incorporate compost into the planting hole. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Recommended Spacing
- Privacy Hedge
- 3–4 ft apart
- Shrubs / Border
- 3–5 ft apart
- Groundcover
- 2–3 ft apart
- Trees
- 3–5 ft apart
- Accent / Specialty
- 3–5 ft apart
- Vines
- 3–5 ft apart
Care
Requires minimal maintenance. Leave old fronds in place during winter to protect new spring growth. Divide clumps in early spring if necessary.
- Water Needs
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low
- Drought Tolerance
- Moderate
Plant Information Disclaimer
Plant characteristics, growth rates, mature sizes, spacing, care requirements, and other horticultural information provided on this page may be AI-assisted and are intended as general guidance only. Actual plant performance can vary based on climate, soil, water, sunlight, planting conditions, maintenance, and other environmental factors. Information may contain errors or may not apply to your specific conditions. We recommend confirming important planting, care, and selection decisions with a VN Nursery representative or qualified landscape professional before relying on this information.
✦ AI — AI-generated image used for illustrative purposes. Actual plants may vary.
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