Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides, the Christmas Fern, is a striking evergreen fern native to eastern North America. Named for its ability to remain green through the Christmas season, it forms a handsome clump of leathery, dark green fronds, typically reaching 30-60cm in height and spread. The fronds are singly pinnate, with distinctive ear-like lobes (auricles) at the base of each pinna, giving them an almost architectural quality. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil and partial to full shade, thriving in woodland conditions. This fern is an excellent choice for providing reliable, year-round evergreen structure and texture to shady borders or banks.

Sun: Full shade.

Soil: Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.