Carried by 46 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) is a large evergreen fern with dark green fronds that grow in a tight clump, spreading out radially from a round base. It grows up to 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide and is moderate to fast growing. Individual fronds live for 1.5-2.5 years and remain attached to the base after withering.
It is excellent as an ornamental groundcover for shade. Plant in partial to full shade and give moderate to regular water. It prefers well-draining, rocky, acidic soil but can tolerate clay.
This plant attracts butterflies and hosts a likely total of 3 species of butterfly and moth. It is deer and rabbit resistant.
Fern
2 - 6 ft Tall
2 - 3 ft Wide
Upright, Fountain
Moderate
Evergreen, Summer Semi-deciduous
None
Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Partial Shade, Deep Shade
Moderate, High
Max 2x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 15° F
Medium, Slow
Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as adequate moisture is available; slightly drought-tolerant once established, but best with at least a weekly deep watering.
Soil PH: 4.0 - 7.0
Dead fronds may be removed to improve appearance
4*, 5*, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Wooded hillsides, slopes, rarely cliffs, outcrops
Chaparral, Closed-Cone Coniferous Forest, Inland Closed-Cone Coniferous Forest, Lower Montane Coniferous Forest, North Coastal Coniferous Forest, Redwood Forest
Good as understory to large trees along with Meadow Rue, Maidenhair Fern, Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant), Western Polypody Fern, and Wild Ginger
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 3 likely
To learn more, visit the Jepson Herbarium?s YouTube channel and watch a short video about this species: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L36cYCCP9I