Christmas fern is a dependable native evergreen fern that provides year-round structure in the shade garden. Its leathery, dark-green fronds remain attractive through winter, making it especially useful beneath trees and shrubs where many other perennials disappear completely after frost. The individual fronds have a distinctive holly-like appearance, which contributes to its common name. It works beautifully in woodland gardens, along shaded paths, on slopes, and in naturalized plantings. Once established, Christmas fern is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate dry shade better than many other ferns, although it performs best with adequate organic matter and moisture.
Height: 1½–2 ft
Width: 1½–2 ft
Flower time: None; grown for evergreen foliage
Sun/Shade: Part shade to full shade
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Christmas fern is a dependable native evergreen fern that provides year-round structure in the shade garden. Its leathery, dark-green fronds remain attractive through winter, making it especially useful beneath trees and shrubs where many other perennials disappear completely after frost. The individual fronds have a distinctive holly-like appearance, which contributes to its common name. It works beautifully in woodland gardens, along shaded paths, on slopes, and in naturalized plantings. Once established, Christmas fern is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate dry shade better than many other ferns, although it performs best with adequate organic matter and moisture.
Height: 1½–2 ft
Width: 1½–2 ft
Flower time: None; grown for evergreen foliage
Sun/Shade: Part shade to full shade
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
