Polystichum acrostichoides – Christmas Fern (B.CVR.DR.EVR.RR)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Christmas fern is a rhizomatous subterranean, decumbent, woody, densely scaly-scruffy evergreen fern.  It is found growing in rich rocky woods, along stream banks, in swamps or thickets to a height of 2 to 3 feet in a fountain-like form.

It is best grown in organically rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. This fern will not spread or naturalize, however its clumps will increase in size over time.

It provides winter cover near the ground for songbirds who also use parts and scale-like hairs in nest construction.

In mass plantings, it makes an excellent plant to combat soil erosion on slopes.

Evergreen, Deer and Rabbit Resistant!

Host plant for the larval stage of the Serpentine Webworm.