Southern Shield Fern
Thelypteris kunthii
Southern Shield Fern is a perennial for groundcover, mid-border, suited to shade and partial shade and clay, loam, acid soil or moist ground, flowering varies by climate.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 90 cm |
| Aspect | shade and partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 7b-11b, RHS H5 |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Pet-safe | Yes |
Where to use it in a border
At around 90 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 90 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 7b to 11b and rated H5 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, wet soil, pet-safe plants.
Border Builder uses Southern Shield Fern's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Black Cohoshfor height behind it
- Bugleto edge in front
- Cascade Oregon Grapeto edge in front
- Chinese Wild Gingerto edge in front
- Cinnamon Fernto flower when it does not
- Common Yellow Azaleafor height behind it