Polystichum acrostichoides - Christams Fern

Sizes available: 2 quart

Basics: zones 4-9, 24" x 18", part to full shade, an evergreen fern with leathery leaves, wants a cool, moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Does not do well in clay or tolerate standing water or too much sun. I do think it may be more drought tolerant than stated, however. 

Common names: Christmas Fern

Family: Dryopteridaceae

Origin/Distribution: Nova Scotia to southeast Minnesota, and south to central Florida, east Texas, and Mexico. Native to Maine.

Habitat: rocky woods with fertile soil, moist edges such as stream banks, or near, but not in, low damp places.

More: This is a clump-forming fern that will play well with other shade lovers in a mixed border with moist, woodland soil. The root has been used medicinally, but is also potentially toxic, so proceed with caution. Cut fronds look good in bouquets.

Ferns are common in Maine and I often hear "there are plenty of ferns in the woods; I don't need ferns". It's one of those things, like wild strawberry or native violet, if you are rich in them you might consider them commonplace or even weedy. Why have ferns in your shady beds? Well, besides the fact that they are millions of years old, they offer important structural ecosystem services. They offer that cool, sheltered understory that so many of our small creatures like salamanders, toads, chipmunks, and mice, as well as insect and insect larvae, need. Cover from predators and moist, cool respite, living mulch, beautiful forms, ancient heritage. All good reasons to introduce more ferns...

Source: Van Berkum

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons