3 or 6 Evergreen Polypodium Vulgare Hardy Fern Plants for Shade Garden, Live Perennial, 11cm Root-Ball

Polypodium vulgare, commonly known as Common Polypody, is a graceful evergreen fern native to the British Isles and widely found across Europe. Valued for its elegant, deeply lobed fronds, this hardy perennial brings year-round greenery to shaded corners, woodland borders and rocky crevices where many other plants struggle to thrive. It is a recipient of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its reliability and garden-worthy performance.

This set includes three established plants, each supplied as an 11cm root-ball, ready for planting out. Polypodium vulgare is naturally found growing on mossy walls, tree stumps and rocky banks, making it an excellent choice for naturalising in a woodland garden, underplanting beneath trees, or tucking into gaps in shaded walls and rockeries. It also performs well as evergreen ground cover in borders and containers.

Once established, Common Polypody is a low-maintenance fern that requires very little attention. It tolerates dry shade better than most ferns, making it a versatile and resilient addition to any garden. The leathery, lance-shaped fronds emerge fresh green in late summer and persist through the winter months, providing structure and interest when many other plants have died back.

Cultural Information:

• Botanical Name: Polypodium vulgare


• Common Names: Common Polypody, Wall Fern


• Classification: Evergreen Fern


• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 30–40 cm × 60–90 cm


• Growth Habit: Low, Spreading, Rhizomatous Evergreen Fern


• Perfect for: Woodland Gardens, Shaded Borders, Rockeries, Walls, Ground Cover, Containers


• Foliage Interest: Year-round (evergreen fronds emerge in late summer and persist through winter)


• Planting Position: Partial Shade to Full Shade


• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, Humus-rich; Tolerates Dry Shade Once Established


• Hardiness: Fully Hardy (RHS H7)


• Type: Hardy Evergreen Perennial Fern


• Foliage: Leathery, Lance-shaped, Deeply Pinnate Green Fronds


• RHS Award: Award of Garden Merit (AGM)

What is Included:

• 3 or 6 x Polypodium vulgare plants, each supplied as an 11cm root-ball

Planting Tips:

Plant in a sheltered, shaded or partially shaded spot in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter such as leaf mould. Polypodium vulgare thrives in the dappled shade found beneath deciduous trees and alongside walls or rocks. Water regularly after planting until established, after which it will tolerate periods of dryness. No regular pruning is required; simply remove any tired or damaged fronds as needed to keep the plant looking tidy.