Protected Series:
Zone: 3CHRISTMAS FERN
Polystichum acrostichoides, more commonly known as the Christmas Fern, is a rugged and dependable evergreen native to eastern North America. It earns its name from its glossy, leathery green fronds that remain vibrant and upright through the holiday season, even in snowy conditions. It grows in tidy, fountain-like clumps typically reaching 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. A unique identifying feature is the small "stocking" shape of the individual pinnae (leaflets), which look like tiny Christmas stockings attached to the stem. While it doesn't flower, it produces fertile "spiked" tips on the upper third of its fronds in summer, adding a distinct textural layer to the woodland floor.
Caring for the Christmas Fern is remarkably simple, as it is one of the most drought-tolerant and adaptable ferns available for home gardens. It thrives in part to full shade and is famously excellent for erosion control on shaded slopes, as its root system is adept at gripping the soil. Unlike many delicate ferns, it can handle drier soils once established, though it prefers rich, moist, and well-drained ground.
| PLANT | SIZE | TYPE | GALENA | ADD'L | DIG | SOON |
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con = containers - available now
Galena (Ready to Go!) Plants that are above ground and available now
Additional (More Plants!) Plants are not in Galena, but in a remote location which is easily accessible. Call your rep for info. They will not be in the Shop.
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(BBnPOT - formerly known as GRSTART - are B&B put into a container - they are available now)
Available cultivars in this genus:
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