Western Sword Fern
Wed, 03/24/2010 - 11:47am — Kathy Ormiston
Photo Credit:
Kathy Ormiston, PADG
Botanical Name:
Polystichum munitum
Pronunciation:
(pol-ISS-tih-kum MEW-nih-tum)
Common Name:
Western Sword Fern
Plant Type:
Perennial
Mature Size:
3 - 5 ft. tall and 3 - 4 ft wide
Water Requirements:
Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements:
Shade
Flower Color :
No flowers
We highly recommend western sword ferns, although we are unsure about how much water they need to look good though the entire summer. Since this is a new plant in our garden, we've been watering it every week. Now that it has been in the garden several years, we are going to put it on our once every three weeks watering regime.
Western sword ferns are found in in forests throughout California and much of the west. These ferns help give shady landscapes a natural woodsy look that we like. These plants are very tolerant of competition from tree roots.
To keep these plants looking attractive, remove older fronds.
These plants provide forage for elk, deer, and black bears, should you wish for any of these animals in your garden.