The Korean Rock Fern is a semi-evergreen holly fern, compact in stature and suitable for small spaces in the garden, and is fully hardy for the UK climate.
Polystichum tsus-simense exhibits glossy green leaves with a hint of steely blue that create pleasing contrast with its black scales and leaf bases.
Native to Korea, China and Japan, as well as a range of countries in the south of Africa, where it’s often found on forest floors and rocky slopes. This makes it a perfect fern for rocky fern gardens or at the front of a shaded border.
The name ‘Tsus-sima Holly Fern’, and its specific epithet, refers to the Island of Tsushima, a part of the Japanese archipelago which, contrasting with its other common name Korean Rock Fern, suggests its broad native range.
Soil: Moisture Retaining
Soil that drains at a slower rate due to higher organic matter content.
Growth Rate: Medium
Expect to see moderate growth during growing season.
Water Requirement: High
Likely to require supplementary watering in warmer months, even once established.
Maintenance: Low
Minimal skill or input needed beyond the basics, a very independent plant.
Situation: Part Shade
Enjoys several hours of direct sunlight but may enjoy dappling or shade at midday.
Eventual Height: 0.45m
The plant's ultimate height in typical growing conditions.
Eventual Spread: 0.3m
The plant's ultimate spread in typical growing conditions.
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Will survive unprotected outdoors in most areas of the UK, even in the harshest winters.
Habit: Evergreen
Always in leaf throughout the year. It won't lose all its leaves at any one time.
Expert Tip
It can be propagated by division in spring, either by planting the spores when they're ripe, or by bulbils in autumn.
Care & Size Guidance
This fern is fully hardy and easy to grow, though do protect its crowns from abundant moisture in winter.
It’s usually semi-evergreen in the UK climate and best placed in free draining soil in sheltered spots of the garden that receive partial to full shade.
Ordered three of these ferns. Arrived in lovely condition and have established well in my garden in a shady spot (it gets no direct sun due to some high fences). Lovely green fern adding some structure and interest in my small north facing garden. Will order more ferns from this nursery and highly recommend
Sarah
4 customer reviews for Polystichum tsus-simense
Rated 5 out of 5
Arrived in perfect condition – really good-sized plant – excellent value for money
Sue Jeffries (verified owner)–
Rated 5 out of 5
Healthy plants arrived in excellent condition as they were well packaged
Christine B. –
Rated 5 out of 5
Ordered three of these ferns. Arrived in lovely condition and have established well in my garden in a shady spot (it gets no direct sun due to some high fences). Lovely green fern adding some structure and interest in my small north facing garden. Will order more ferns from this nursery and highly recommend
Sarah –
Rated 5 out of 5
Superb service. Plant arrived quickly in perfect condition and well packaged. Thank you.
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Arrived in perfect condition – really good-sized plant – excellent value for money
Sue Jeffries (verified owner) –
Healthy plants arrived in excellent condition as they were well packaged
Christine B. –
Ordered three of these ferns. Arrived in lovely condition and have established well in my garden in a shady spot (it gets no direct sun due to some high fences). Lovely green fern adding some structure and interest in my small north facing garden. Will order more ferns from this nursery and highly recommend
Sarah –
Superb service. Plant arrived quickly in perfect condition and well packaged. Thank you.
Emma –