Plant pick: Asian saber fern

Published 12:25 pm Wednesday, August 25, 2010

WHAT: Asian saber fern is relatively new to the Northwest, but it has quickly proven to be a strong local performer.

Its fronds are glossy, green and leathery, held stiffly upright to create an open, vase-shaped plant that is distinctive in the garden.

WHY PLANT IT: Its fronds are so stiff that they do not collapse in our occasional snows and remain evergreen through the winter.

Its unusual growth habit makes it eye-catching as a single specimen or interesting when planed en masse.

Its open growth pattern appears almost rigid, with each frond maintaining straight architectural lines.

WHERE: It prefers full shade or morning sun followed by afternoon shade. Too much sunlight causes the leaves to yellow and burn. Fertile, rich, well-drained soil is ideal.

Once plants have become established, after two full growing seasons, they tolerate drought, needing supplemental water only during unusually long dry spells.

HOW: Place this plant, also known as long-eared holly fern or polystichum neolobatum, with soft-textured ferns and plants with paler green foliage for best contrast.

You do not need to cut back this fern yearly: Just clip off any fronds that look tattered.

ACTUAL SIZE: Mature plants can reach 24 inches tall and 30 inches wide.

LEARN MORE: See www.greatplantpicks.org.

Source: Great Plant Picks