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Christmas Fern
The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen (green at Christmas time as the common name suggests) fronds. Stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and has a moderately dense crown. The evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape. This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. These plants serve as hosts for butterfly larvae. ... more info
Ghost Fern The Ghost Fern, 'Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and Athyrium filix-feminais', is a deciduous hybrid fern. The silvery foliage is acquired from its Japanese painted fern parent and upright habit from its lady fern parent. It typically grows to 30” tall. The slowly spreading clump of fronds are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery shades. The silver is contrasted by the darker maroon midribs. The fronds become more grayish-green as summers warmer temperatures arrive. The best site for this plant is in sheltered location. The Ghost Fern will tolerate more soil dryness than some other ferns, but soils must not be allowed to dry out. This fern is best used in, shade gardens or shaded border fronts, and in shaded areas near streams or ponds. |
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