Polystichum tripteron is one of our most admired and requested ferns, but unfortunately one that is always in short supply. This robust clump former hails from moist mountain woodlands in China, Japan, and Korea. In the garden, Trifid sword fern forms an attractive, 2′ wide, deciduous clump of medium green fronds. The basal pair of pinnae (fern leaflets) got carried away and grew much longer than the other pinnae resulting in unusual fronds that look like wings on a green airplane…much easier to visualize after a couple of drinks.
