Polystichum makinoi Makino's holly fern
Polystichum
The genus Polystichum is one of the largest and at the same time one of the longest studied groups of ferns. Botanists currently recognise around five hundred species, distributed almost worldwide, from the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere to mountainous areas of the tropics. The greatest species diversity is concentrated in East Asia, particularly in China and Japan. It was here that polystichums evolved over millions of years in relatively stable forest ecosystems, a fact indirectly supported by fossil finds of ferns with very similar frond structures dating back to the Tertiary period. The genus belongs to the family Dryopteridaceae, and its systematic delimitation represents one of the most complex chapters of fern taxonomy, as it includes numerous transitional forms, natural hybrids and apomictic species reproducing without fertilisation. The first formal description of the genus was published by Albrecht Wilhelm Roth (1757–1834) at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, at a time when European botany began to study ferns not only as part of the forest understorey but as an independent and evolutionarily remarkable group of plants.
The name Polystichum itself is derived from the Greek words polys and stichos, referring to the dense, regularly arranged rows of sori on the underside of the fronds. These are characteristic of the genus and, on closer inspection, appear almost surprisingly geometric. In the nineteenth century, polystichums became part of the phenomenon known as pteridomania, when ferns quite literally took over European gardens, glasshouses and interiors, and were collected with a passion more commonly associated today with orchids or succulents. Thanks to their evergreen fronds and ability to thrive in shade, many species entered garden cultivation before they had been thoroughly studied botanically. Although it might seem that a genus with such a long history has little left to reveal, modern molecular methods show that research into polystichums is far from complete, and that their relationships and the origins of individual species are still being reassessed.
Makino’s holly fern, Polystichum makinoi, is an evergreen species native to a wide range of eastern and south‑eastern Asia, extending from the mountainous regions of India and Myanmar through Bhutan, China, Nepal and Tibet to the Korean Peninsula and Japan. In the wild it inhabits moist woodland, mountain ravines and shaded slopes with long‑term climatic stability, benefiting from high atmospheric humidity and sheltered conditions. Owing to its origin in regions with comparatively mild winters, it retains a strongly evergreen character and ranks among the most attractive members of the genus in terms of year‑round appearance.
Makino’s holly fern forms upright clumps when young, later becoming slightly more relaxed, with elegant fans of bipinnate fronds reaching up to about 60 cm in length at maturity. The fronds are firm, evergreen, fresh green and distinctly glossy, with a finely textured surface. The individual leaflets are clearly separated from one another, creating the impression of a darker edging along the frond margins, although this is merely an optical effect resulting from their arrangement. A genuine and consistent feature, however, is the contrasting colour of the stipes and venation, which lends the plant a subtle internal pattern and enhances its refined, cultivated appearance. Makino’s shield fern appears polished and decorative without losing its natural woodland character, and is particularly effective in calm, shaded areas of the garden.
Polystichum are woodland ferns suited to shade or partial shade, where they thrive in humus‑rich, well‑drained soil with a high content of organic matter and evenly maintained moisture. This fern is not sensitive to soil pH and grows reliably in mildly acidic to neutral conditions, with fertility and structure being more important than reaction. It does not tolerate waterlogging or prolonged drought and performs best where moisture levels remain even. An organic mulch of leaf litter or decomposed wood is beneficial throughout the year, helping to maintain stable moisture, improve soil structure and support natural soil processes. In ordinary garden soils lacking woodland microflora, the use of a mycorrhizal inoculant at planting is recommended, as it significantly improves establishment, stability and long‑term vitality. The plant performs best in a position sheltered from winter sun and drying winds. Although evergreen, removing all older fronds after winter is recommended for the best appearance, allowing the plant to regenerate with fresh new growth. Once well established and correctly sited, it is hardy to approximately −26 to −29 °C.
Last update: 09-06-2024; 27-03-2026
