Exposure • Part sun • Shade

Soil Moisture Needs • Average • Wet

Growth Rate in the Garden • Medium

Critter Resistance • Deer Resistant

Season of Interest (Foliage) • Fall • Winter

Foliage Attribute • Fall Interest

Attributes • Tolerates wet sites • East Coast Native • Evergreen • Ground Cover

Water Requirements • Prefers well-drained soil • Prefers consistent soil moisture

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern

An extremely hardy fern which can tolerate considerable cold and remain evergreen. New fronds unfurl in a beautiful silvery flush and mature to a rich, dark green. Very attractive in shaded borders, woodland edges or as filler for cut arrangements.

Polystichum (po-li'-sti-kum)

Family: Polypodiaceae · Common Name: Christmas Fern

Handsome evergreen ferns, native to the eastern U.S., have fine-textured foliage or foliage that is a bit more coarse-looking. An excellent addition to borders and shade garden, they also make good cut foliage plants.