Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Europe, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, Turkey
Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Southwestern United States, Texas, Canada, Mexico
Types
Not Available
Not Available
Habitat
Shady Edge, Woodland Garden Dappled Shade
Dry areas, Prairies, Rocky areas, rocky outcrops
USDA Hardiness Zone
6-9
3-10
Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Upright/Erect
Flower Color
Not Available
Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Not Available
Brown
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Light Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Light Green
Leaf Shape
Saw-tooth like
Subulate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Summer
Sunlight
Full Shade, Partial shade
Full Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
All year
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Tolerances
Drought, Dry Conditions, Light Frost, Shade areas, Variety of soil types
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Divison, From Rhizomes, Spores
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
when new, water every week
Average Water Needs, Water in morning to avoid prompting diseases
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Shade, Partial shade
Full Sun
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Apply N-P-K
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Fine
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Invasive
Not Available
No
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Birds, Butterflies
Allergy
Not Available
Rhinitis
Aesthetic Uses
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Borders
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
Not Available
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification
Medicinal Uses
Poultice, Sore throat, Tonsillitis
Analgesic
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Root, Stem
Flowers
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Can be made into a herbal tea, Used in making tea
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Tropical, Water Gardens
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Botanical Name
POLYSTICHUM setiferum
RATIBIDA columnifera
Common Name
Alaska fern
Mexican Hat
In Hindi
Soft Shield Fern
Mexican Hat
In German
Grannen-Schildfarn
Mexican Hat
In French
Soft Shield Fern
Mexican Hat
In Spanish
Soft Shield Fern
mexican Hat
In Greek
Soft Shield Fern
Mexican Hat
In Portuguese
Soft Shield Fern
Mexican Hat
In Polish
Soft Shield Fern
Mexican Hat
In Latin
Soft Shield Fern
Mexicanus Hat
Phylum
Pteridophyta
Tracheophyta
Class
Filicopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Polypodiales
Asterales
Family
Dryopteridaceae
Asteraceae
Genus
Polystichum
Ratibida
Clade
Not Available
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Tribe
Not Available
Not Available
Subfamily
Not Available
Not Available
Number of Species
Not Available
Not Available
Season and Care of Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat
Season and care of Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat is important to know. While considering everything about Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat Care, growing season is an essential factor. Soft Shield Fern season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and Mexican Hat season is Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The type of soil for Soft Shield Fern is Clay, Loam and for Mexican Hat is Loam, Sand while the PH of soil for Soft Shield Fern is Neutral, Alkaline and for Mexican Hat is Neutral.
Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat Physical Information
Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat physical information is very important for comparison. Soft Shield Fern height is 90.00 cm and width 60.00 cm whereas Mexican Hat height is 30.00 cm and width 30.50 cm. The color specification of Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat are as follows:
Soft Shield Fern flower color: Not Available
Soft Shield Fern leaf color: Green
Mexican Hat flower color: Yellow, Purple, Burgundy, Light Green and Brown
- Mexican Hat leaf color: Light Green and Gray Green
Care of Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat
Care of Soft Shield Fern and Mexican Hat include pruning, fertilizers, watering etc. Soft Shield Fern pruning is done Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches and Remove dead leaves and Mexican Hat pruning is done Cut or pinch the stems, Pinch Tips, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead flowers, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts and Remove deadheads. In summer Soft Shield Fern needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water. Whereas, in summer Mexican Hat needs Lots of watering and in winter, it needs Average Water.
