Polystichum setiferum 'HERRENHAUSEN' soft shield 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.
Soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum, is a native European species distributed from Atlantic Europe through the Mediterranean region to Asia Minor and North Africa, where it inhabits shaded, humid woodlands, ravines and stone walls with long‑term stable microclimates. It was botanically described in 1775 by Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber (1739–1810), a German physician and naturalist, a pupil of Carl Linnaeus, who was active not only in botany but also in zoology and ranks among the notable figures of Enlightenment natural history. Owing to its natural variability, ability to form stable deviations and good tolerance of garden conditions, Polystichum setiferum has become one of the most widely cultivated European shield ferns and a foundational species for numerous garden forms that have found a lasting place in historic parks and contemporary gardens alike as reliable plants for shaded areas.
Herrenhausen soft shield fern has long been one of the most popular garden forms of ferns, as it combines structure with remarkable delicacy. It is an evergreen fern that retains most of its fronds through mild winters, remaining clearly visible in the garden well beyond the main growing season. At first glance it captivates with its exceptionally fine, almost lace-like foliage, which appears lighter and more airy than that of the typical species. The fronds are fresh green, soft both to the eye and to the touch, and unfold into fan-shaped, deeply divided blades usually reaching 60 to 80 cm in length. Naturally arching, they form a regular, elegant clump that retains a cultivated, composed appearance even at full size. Compared with the species, growth is slower and more compact, the fronds more finely divided, and the overall impression less robust and more filigree.
The origin of this cultivar is linked to the Herrenhausen Gardens in Hanover, one of the most important historic garden complexes in northern Germany. Here the fern was recorded as a selected form, most likely arising from natural variation among cultivated plants rather than deliberate breeding in the modern sense. Long-term cultivation under garden conditions made it possible to confirm its stability, balanced growth and reliability. During the second half of the twentieth century it began to spread through European fern collections, quickly gaining a reputation as an exceptionally ornamental yet resilient cultivar that maintains its defining characteristics without special care.
In the garden, Polystichum setiferum ‘Herrenhausen’ is best used wherever a calm, shaded atmosphere with an emphasis on structure and detail is desired. It works beautifully as a specimen plant in woodland settings, where its fine, fresh green fronds contrast with the rough bark of tree trunks, but it is equally effective in group plantings with other ferns, heucheras or spring bulbs, which retreat after flowering and leave space for its summer growth. Thanks to its regular habit and clearly defined silhouette, it is also well suited to edging shaded paths or acting as a transitional element between perennial borders and woodland areas.
Shield ferns 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. They are not sensitive to soil pH and grow well in slightly acidic to neutral soils, provided they are not exposed to prolonged waterlogging or drought. A year‑round mulch of leaf litter or decomposed wood helps to stabilise soil conditions and protect the root system; in ordinary garden soils, the use of a mycorrhizal inoculant at planting has proven beneficial. They perform best in positions sheltered from winter sun and drying winds, and in spring it is advisable to cut back all old fronds. While the fronds of the cultivar ‘Herrenhausen’ may be damaged during severe frosts, the plant itself is exceptionally hardy and, when well established in free‑draining soil, reliably survives temperatures well below −25 °C, often approaching −30 °C, without any negative effect on spring growth or overall vitality.
Last update: 22-03-2008; 27-03-2026
