The plants are beautiful and delivery happened so quickly. Will order from them again.
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Christmas Fern (1 Gallon)
Christmas Fern (1 Gallon)
$18.00
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Quantity
25 in stock
Polystichum acrostichoides
Choose Christmas Fern for a tidy native fern that keeps structure in shade; the tradeoff is it clumps politely instead of spreading fast to cover bare ground.
Buy This If
- You want a clumping fern.
- You prefer native shade planting.
- You need winter foliage structure.
Skip This If
- You need quick spreading coverage.
- The site dries out often.
- Deer browsing is constant.
PGNE Report Card
| Category | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Impact | B | It gives shade beds a clean, steady look, but it is more subtle than colorful or large ferns. |
| Growth Rate | C+ | It fills in gradually, so buy it for permanence rather than quick coverage. |
| Maintenance | A- | Once established in the right moisture, it needs little beyond cleanup of tired fronds. |
| Deer Resistance | A- | Deer rarely browse ferns, making this one of the more dependable choices where deer pressure is heavy. |
| Small Space Fit | A | Its clumping habit makes it easy to place near paths, foundations, and smaller shade beds. |
| Screening Value | F | This is a low shade accent, not a privacy or screening plant. |
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Christmas Fern when the customer wants a dependable native fern that stays where it is planted and does not take over the bed. It is also our first pick for holding a shaded slope: because it is evergreen, its fronds keep catching rain and holding soil through the winter months when deciduous ferns have collapsed.
Plant Facts
| Botanical Name | Polystichum acrostichoides |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Christmas Fern |
| Mature Height | 1-2 ft |
| Mature Width | 1.5-2 ft |
| Hardiness Zones | 3a-8a |
| Spacing | 1.5-2 ft |
| Sun | Part Shade to Shade |
| Moisture | Moist |
| Growth Habit | Clumping, arching, low |
| Evergreen | Yes |
| Native | Yes (species native to New England/eastern US) |
| Best Used For | Erosion control on shaded slopes and banks • Upland edge of riparian buffer plantings • Native woodland shade • Evergreen winter structure |
| Wetland Indicator Status | FACU (Facultative Upland) — usually occurs in non-wetlands. Use it on the upland side of a buffer, not in the wet zone. Source: USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List, Northcentral & Northeast region. |
Customers Usually Ask
Does it spread?
No, it forms clumps rather than running through the bed.
Is this a wetland plant?
No. It is rated FACU, meaning it usually occurs in non-wetlands. It belongs on the upland side of a buffer planting or on a shaded slope — for the wet zone use Cinnamon, Sensitive, or American Royal Fern.
Why is it good for slopes?
It is evergreen, so unlike deciduous ferns its fronds are still there through winter and early spring rains, when bare shaded soil is most likely to wash.
Does it stay green in winter?
Yes, the foliage holds through winter, though older fronds can look worn by spring.
Why Add Ferns to Your Landscape?
- Perfect for Shade Gardens: Ferns thrive in partial to full shade, making them ideal for woodland and foundation plantings.
- Soft Texture & Movement: Feathery fronds add contrast and visual interest alongside broader-leafed plants.
- Low-Maintenance & Hardy: Many varieties return year after year with minimal care and strong cold tolerance.
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43003
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