Polystichum munitum

This is a fern worth gushing about. Given ideal conditions (see below) this is a huge (6ft tall x 5ft across) evergreen rosette AND it’s easy to grow. My first encounter with this wonderful plant was at Brockhole in Windermere – the Lake District visitor centre and gardens. The Lake District is mild and wet – just what they like for maximum growth. It was huge. The slow train through the Cascade Range to Vancouver was a wonderful opportunity to observe how and where they grow. Mile after mile of tightly packed ferns in some of the lighter glades in the forest, provided by the railway line. This was in early January and they looked as good as in mid-summer. Another plant that has a huge geographical distribution (right down to parts of Mexico) that often gives an indication of how relatively easy they will be to grow in your garden.