Golden shield fern

Like most ferns, you’ll find this fern in the wild in damp, gloomy places. Native to Japan and South Korea, the lace fern can grow up to 1 metre tall in a broad lump of evergreen fronds. If you walk through a forest in Britain there’s a good chance you’ll see a golden shield fern. 

It grows best in conditions that most other plants would find too dark, so it’s hugely popular in north-facing gardens. Lace fern is very easy to grow. You can either keep it in a pot or plant it in the ground. Either way, make sure to keep its soil good and moist. 

It should keep its leaves through winter, unless the temperature dips well below zero. If any of its leaves are damaged in winter, just trim them off in early spring. In fact, it’s good to give it a bit of a trim in early spring anyway, just to remove any old, yellow or brown growth. 

You’ll be able to grow this fern in just about any garden. Although it loves shade it will be happy with a few hours of sun per day and it’s not really bothered by wind. It’s a garden star.