Christmas Fern
Evergreen Fronds at Christmas
The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines.
It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen fronds. It is green at Christmas time as the common name suggests.
The stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas.
Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds.
Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and have a moderately dense crown. The evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape.
This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. These plants serve as hosts for butterfly larvae.
Christmas ferns enjoy shade and it will not survive in the sun!
*Evergreen Foliage
*Grows in Clumps and Will Not Spread> *Good Shade Plant in Moist Soil
Plant Facts
| Family | Polystichum acrostichoides |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green |
| Mature Spread | 1 - 2 feet |
| Soil | Widely Adaptable |
| Zones | 4-9 |
| Moisture | Widely Adaptable |
| Mature Form | Fern 1 - 2 feet in height |
| Growth Rate | Non - Spreading |
| Sun Exposure | Full Shade - Partial Sun |
| Fall Color | Evergreen |
Quick Overview
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