Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides, more commonly known as Christmas Fern, is a classic evergreen fern that is prized for its ability to provide foliage and decoration all year round. As you can tell from the name Christmas Fern is an evergreen fern which means it stays lush and green (dark green and glossy) all year long including in the winter. The fronds are finely divided, lance-shaped, and grow in an upright to slightly arching position, forming a dense, tidy clump. Christmas Ferns are commonly used as groundcovers, border plants, or as foundation plants in shaded areas of the garden.
One of the selling points of Christmas Fern is its four-season interest. In spring, the new fronds are a bright pop of green. In summer, the rich green fronds create a lush backdrop for flowering perennials, shrubs and other shade-loving plants. In fall and winter, while deciduous plants have lost their leaves and turned brown, the Christmas Fern still provides color and form in the garden.
Christmas Fern is an easy-to-grow plant that thrives in partial to full shade and prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil. It tolerates a range of soil conditions, including slightly acidic or clay soils. This fern is also low maintenance and requires little care once established. The Christmas Fern spreads slowly by underground rhizomes and can create naturalized colonies over time, filling in shady spots and providing a soft, evergreen carpet to brighten darker areas of the landscape.
In addition to its color, Christmas Fern adds a graceful texture and elegance to garden designs. Its finely divided fronds contrast well with the broad leaves of plants like hostas or with ferns that have coarser foliage. Used along woodland paths, beside stone walls, or in naturalized garden beds, they add depth, movement, and a touch of sophistication. Christmas Ferns are versatile plants that can help you soften landscape hardscapes like steps, retaining walls, and building foundations. The arching fronds will also help bridge the gap between these features and the rest of the landscape.
In general, these plants are a great choice for gardeners looking for year-round color, carefree plants for shade, and attractive foliage that pairs well with most companion plants. Whether you use them as a specimen, in a group, or in a large woodland or shade garden, these ferns will add grace, texture, and a pop of green all year long.