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    • Photo of Polystichum acrostichoides foliage by David J. Stang

    Photo by David J. Stang

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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    Buy Polystichum acrostichoides

    Also Known As

    • Christmas Fern
    • Dagger Fern

    Plant type

    fern

    size

    • H: 18"-24"
    • W: 18"-24"

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    7 bare root plants ($5.00 ea) | $35

    Shipping $8.95, free on orders over $95

    4999 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    10 bare root plants ($4.50 ea) | $45

    Shipping $8.95, free on orders over $95

    5000 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    15 bare root plants ($4 ea) | $60

    Shipping $8.95, free on orders over $95

    4998 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    20 bare root plants ($3.00 ea) | $70

    Shipping $8.95, free on orders over $95

    4994 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    50 bare root plants ($1.50 ea) | $150

    Shipping $8.95, free on orders over $95

    4998 at Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    More Options

    Polystichum acrostichoides plant details

    Polystichum acrostichoides is an evergreen fern with green foliage. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Polystichum acrostichoides

    Plant type: fern
    Plant family: dryopteridaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 18 IN - 24 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
    Uses: bare root shipping available, compact, container plant, larger quantity available, woodland garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Polystichum acrostichoides

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    A delightful wintergreen North American native, very hardy and attractive all year with dark and glossy-green leathery fronds to 2-3 feet; prefers a shades moist woodland site. PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Polystichum arcostichoides has bronze new growth in spring. This 1-2 ft. spreading evergreen does well in numerous climates. Sue Olsen in her superb book 'Garden Ferns' says P. arcrostichoides doesn't do well in the Northwest, but does well in colder or hotter climates.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Polystichum acrostichoides is an American fern growing in a fountain-like clump that features silvery, scaled fiddleheads and glossy, leathery, triangular fronds. Evergreen. Ferns thrive in neutral to acidic, loose, richly organic soil. Excellent for mass plantings, rock gardens, containers, in woodlands and naturalized landscapes.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    "This incredibly tough and drought-resistant native fern remains evergreen in winters into Canada. It makes a nice outdoor hardy substitute for Boston Fern." T.S. "Beautiful fern that looks good year round in St. Louis." L.M.S., (comments in www.missouribotanicalgarden.org) This is one tough customer that tolerates a variety of situations, including rabbits, drought, heavy shade, erosion, dry soil and shallow/rocky soil, in addition to being deer-resistant!

    By: Deer Country Gardens

    The firm deep green leaves of Polystichum acrostichoides make it a great companion for woodland wildflowers. Strongly evergreen, fronds of the Christmas Fern were used by early New England settlers for Christmas decorations. Grows best on well-drained slopes with low to moderate fertility, in neutral to strongly acid soils. Not recommended for rich soils or moist areas. Hardy to Zones 3 - 9.

    By: Prairie Nursery

    Perhaps the best fern for growing amongst flowers, the leathery brilliant evergreen fronds and neat upright rosettes, 12" tall are a favorite of mine. Sturdy but non-invasive it prefers alkaline soil but does well on rock and sand.

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    Polystichum acrostichoides Native American fern in most areas east of the rocky mountains. Looks similar to Boston Fern but is hardy in most locations, from moist areas to dry areas. Grows to a height of 12 tp 18 inches.

    By: Accents for Home and Garden

    This hardy native evergreen fern looks similar to the the house plant, Boston Fern. Cut green leaves are traditionally used in holiday decorations. 24" tall and wide. Recommended by: USNA.

    By: Fantastic Plants

    An evergreen fern with 1 to 2 foot long, slender, much branched, fern with multiple crowns. Zones 3 - 9. Easy to grow, this is a robust plant. Not too fussy, but is prefers moist woodland but also does well among rocks and or dryish slopes. In gallon pots for

    By: Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

    Semi-upright, arching, polished green, lanceolate fronds with 20-30 pairs of pinnae. Plant in partial sun to full shade & well drained, moist soil. Zones 3 to 9. Size: 12” to 24”. Evergreen.

    By: Sebright Gardens

    Commonly known as Christmas Fern, this very popular evergreen is quite robust when grown in rich moist soil, although it is tolerant of drier spots once established. Dark green 2' fronds gracefully arch in ever expanding clumps. Great cut flower fern! Grow in an evenly moist soil in part to full shade.

    By: Avant Gardens

    A hardy evergreen species with arching deep green fronds. The spring croziers are silvery. Excellent in moist, shady areas, but also performs well in rocky soil.

    By: Briggs Plant Propagators

    Gardening facts about Polystichum acrostichoides plant

    How to Grow Polystichum acrostichoides

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Polystichum for your garden

    Polystichum polyblepharum

    aka Asian Lady Fern, Auriculate Lady Fern, Holly Fern, Japanese Tassel Fern, Korean Tassel Fern, Tassel Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Polystichum polyblepharum foliage, form by Sebright Gardens
    View Plant

    Polystichum setiferum

    aka Alaska Fern, Soft Shield Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 18"

    Width: 24"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Polystichum setiferum foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum Group

    aka Polystichum setiferum 'Divisilobum', Polystichum setiferum divisilobum, Polystichum setiferum var. divisilobum, Soft Shield Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    5a-8b

    Size

    Height: 18"-24"

    Width: 18"-24"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum Group foliage by plant lust
    View Plant

    Polystichum tsus-simense

    aka Korean Rock Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 12"

    Width: 12"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Polystichum tsus-simense foliage by Sebright Gardens
    View Plant

    Polystichum braunii

    aka Braun's Holly Fern

    Plant Type

    Fern

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 20"-28"

    Width: 24"-36"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Polystichum braunii foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
    View Plant

    More Options

    +34 more Polystichum
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