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    • Photo of Polystichum munitum foliage, form by Jami Dwyer

    Photo by Jami Dwyer

    Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

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    Buy Polystichum munitum

    Also Known As

    • Western Sword Fern

    Plant type

    fern

    size

    • H: 3'-6'
    • W: 3'-6'

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    1 gallon bagged root ball | $19

    Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total

    30 at Gossler Farms

    3/4 gallon pot-bare root | $10

    USPS Priority Mail shipping rates

    Fewer than 24 at Sebright Gardens

    1 gallon | $25

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    47 at Forestfarm

    2 inch wide, 4-6 inch deep tube | $15.95

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    65 at Forestfarm

    More Options

    Polystichum munitum plant details

    Polystichum munitum is a fast-growing evergreen fern with green foliage. Features glossy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and regular water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Polystichum munitum

    Plant type: fern
    Plant family: dryopteridaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 6 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Uses: border plant, container plant, rock garden, showy, woodland garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Polystichum munitum

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
    Watering frequency: regular
    Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Our native sword fern grows from Alaska to southern California. The plant is common in the woods, but is still a very handsome garden plant. The vase shaped plant will get 2'x 2' and is evergreen, but best cut back in February.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Receiving high marks as a garden plant, the western sword fern produces large clumps of primordial, leathery, deep-green fronds growing 2-5' tall with symmetrical, simple, toothed pinnae or leaflets. These ferns are found creating a lush carpet in the forest understory of the western United States; these undemanding beauties are a gorgeous addition to the shade garden. Sh-PSh/M-GDr

    By: Forestfarm

    This is one of our favorite ferns and one we find in a wide variety of forest climates here in the mountains of Southern Oregon. Its drought resistance makes it one of the more common ferns found in Douglas-fir and pine forests, but it tends to grow far larger and lusher near mountain streams. At our nursery, some of our Sword Ferns have grown to four feet tall and five feet in diameter. It is very fast to establish when given good conditions, in fact one plant grew from a 3.5 inch container into a three foot tall plant in less than two months.
    Western Sword Ferns are very tough and will recover even if neglected. We had one plant that did not get watered after being divided die to the ground in the spring, only to come back the following spring. Don't give up on ferns, just keep their roots moist and they will probably come back.

    We have heard that this fern does not do as well in climates with high heat and humidity, such as the South Eastern states.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    Zn 7. Dark leathery fronds. Evergreen.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Native to the Northwest, this fern has elegant, large, arching fronds that can range in length from one to four feet. It's adaptable to many conditions and is long-lived. Cut old fronds off in winter for a fresh, bright green crown in spring. It loves a bank but is successful on the flat as well if in woodland soil. One of the few dry shade plants and evergreen. Minimum temperature: -10 °F

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Evergreen fern with narrow, lance-shaped fronds. This native fern will give a beautiful, natural look to your Northwest garden.

    By: Garden World

    Western Sword Fern/from our property

    By: Jockey Hill Nursery

    Our most popular native fern with handsome erect & lush swordlike fronds add interest to the woodland gardens. Plant in nearly full sun to full shade & well drained, acidic, moist soil. Zones 6 to 9. Height: 1 1/2 to 5 feet. Evergreen.

    By: Sebright Gardens

    An evergreen fern that grows about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. This is probably our most easily grown native fern. It is tolerant of almost all levels of shade. Forms a refined tight clump and tolerates dry shade. Landscape uses: Mixed woodland planting, shade and rock gardens and is good for erosion control. Native to California and is also found elsewhere in North America and beyond. Provides forage for mammals. Fibrous root systems helps to stabilize slopes. Many Native American groups, including the Pomo and Ohlone peoples of California, used this plant for many different purposes including eating the cooked rhizomes, using the fronds to line earth ovens, and washing sores with an infusion of the stems. Found in moist coniferous forests at low elevations. Communitites located in North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Redwood Forest, Douglas-Fir Forest, Chaparral, Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest Between 0 and 7000 feet.

    By: The Watershed Nursery

    A coarsely-textured evergreen fern with dark green, leathery fronds to 2-4' tall. The sword-shaped fronds form symmetrical upright clumps and thrive in light to deep shade in soils rich in organic matter. A durable native species, this is the most common fern in redwood forests. Exceptional choice in mixed woodland plantings with other native species such as Carex tumulicola, western azalea or flowering currants. Use in shady beds, along walls, or massed as a groundcover. Moderate to occasional water. Hardy to 0F. California to Alaska.

    By: Native Sons

    A very hardy and large fern. Grows in moist woodlands but can survive drought for a short period of time. Grows to a height of 24 to 36 inches and possibly larger with age.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    Oregon native. When established, will handle drought conditions.

    By: Bloom River Gardens

    Evergreen. Stately in appearance, this native of western North America forms 2-4', leathery fronds of rich green. Hardy and cold tolerant. Plant in humus-rich, acidic soil in partial to fully shaded locations.

    By: Greer Gardens Inc.

    Evergreen fern, native to the Northwest, with fronds that can reach 4-6'. A dramatic addition to the woodland garden in part shade to shade. Drought tolerant once established -- more so with more shade. Easy and frost hardy in USDA zone 3.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Hardy evergreen fern native to moist woodlands of the Pacific Coast. Tolerant of dry areas, the Western Sword Fern will adapt to many garden sites, even with half sun.

    By: Briggs Plant Propagators

    Gardening facts about Polystichum munitum plant

    How to Grow Polystichum munitum

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

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