PlantsShade & Groundcovers
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Evergreen woodland fern
EasyShade & Groundcovers
- Light
- Part shade–shade
- Moisture
- Dry–medium
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft
- Spacing
- 2–3 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Year-round fronds
- How it spreads
- Clumping
- What to buy
- Nursery-propagated plug, container plant, or division; spores are a specialist propagation method.
- When to plant
- Apr–May or Sep, with reliable moisture and protection from drying winds.
In the design
Retain leaf litter; avoid deep mulch over crowns.
