Sword Fern

Sword Fern

Polystichum munitum

Dryopteridaceae

• Spokane native
• USDA Zone 3-8
• Part Shade - Full Shade
• Size: 3' wide x 3' tall
• Drought Tolerant: Moderate - prefers consistent moisture
• Evergreen: yes
• Wildlife Value: Shelter for small animals and insects

Sword Fern is a magnificent evergreen fern that brings lush texture and year-round beauty to shaded gardens. This impressive native forms large, graceful clumps of arching fronds that can reach three feet or more in height. The plant thrives in part shade to full shade locations and prefers moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Sword Fern is one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic plants and adds a distinctly regional character to gardens.

The fronds are large and pinnately compound, with numerous leaflets arranged along each side of the central rachis, creating a sword-like appearance that gives the plant its common name. The fronds are deep, glossy green and have a leathery texture that helps them persist through winter. As an evergreen, Sword Fern maintains its attractive foliage throughout the year, providing structure and color even in the depths of winter. New fronds emerge in spring as tightly coiled fiddleheads that slowly unfurl into the characteristic sword shape.

While Sword Fern does not produce flowers, it provides valuable wildlife habitat. The dense evergreen fronds offer excellent cover and shelter for small mammals, ground-nesting birds, and beneficial insects. The plant creates a protective microclimate at ground level 

that supports salamanders, frogs, and other moisture-loving creatures. The year-round foliage is particularly valuable for wildlife during winter months when deciduous plants have lost their leaves.

Sword Fern is perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and naturalistic plantings under trees. It excels at filling the darkest corners of the garden where few other plants can thrive, adding lush texture and vibrant green color year-round. The large size makes it suitable for screening or creating privacy in shaded areas. Excellent companions include Western Columbine, Wild Ginger, Roundleaf Alumroot, and other shade-loving natives. The bold texture contrasts beautifully with fine-leaved woodland plants and spring bulbs