Holly fern

For that shady spot, you can't go wrong with holly ferns. Their evergreen fronds always look good and they mix well with other shade lovers, without taking over. They can be planted close and massed as a groundcover, or used as accent plants where soil is rich and well drained.

Light:

Part Sun,Shade

Zones:

3-9

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

6 inches- 2 1/2 feet tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

1 1/2-4 feet wide, depending on variety

Flower Color:

Dark brown or black spores, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Spores are produced in spring and early summer

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Slopes,Groundcover

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage,Fall Color,Winter Interest,Drought Tolerant,Tolerates Wet Soil,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Braun's holly fern

(Polystichum braunii) has upright but arching glossy fronds to 2-feet tall. It's easy to grow and hardy in Zones 3-8.
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Makinoi's holly fern

(Polystichum makinoi) has slightly arching fronds to 2-1/2-feet long. The stipe and rachis (main stem) are shaggy, covered with brown scales in contrast to the bright green leaflets. Zones 3-8
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Garden Plans

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Bold and Bright Foundation Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Hosta

The bold leaves of hosta contrast well with the finely cut holly fern foliage. They enjoy the same conditions.

Pearlwort

Irish moss's mat of tiny leaves and white flowers provides a perfect carpet under holly ferns in shade.

Barrenwort

White, pink, lavender or yellow flowering barrenwort has attractive foliage often rimmed with red. This contrasts well with the taller fronds of holly fern in light shade.

Propagation

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Division