Evergreen, Shade-Loving Christmas Ferns for Year-Round Woodland Charm
This is the most popular native fern, and for good reason. Christmas Fern is called that because its fronds stay fresh and green throughout the winter, while all the other plants in your garden have turned to ghosts. Tough, deep green leathery leaflets provide shade gardens with structure, color, and texture all season long.
TN Nursery has been growing hardy native ferns for over 65 years. We have been a supplier to Arlington National Cemetery and The Washington Monument since 1959, and Discovery and History have used our plant knowledge to educate viewers on horticultural topics. This heritage further cements our authority and means every Christmas Fern we grow is field tested, hardy, and ready for your garden.
Why Christmas Fern Is a Standout Shade Garden Essential
Christmas Fern is one of the few ferns that stays green all year long and provides winter interest when beds may be looking sparse. The fronds form arching, fountain-like tufts that add texture and depth to the landscape year-round. It will grow in conditions from dry shade under big trees to moist woodland areas. Christmas Fern is one of the most adaptable of all the ferns. TN Nursery hand picks Christmas Ferns with strong, thick rhizomes and hearty fronds for quick establishment and consistent growth in home landscapes.
The Benefits of Planting Christmas Fern
Christmas Fern provides more than evergreen beauty. Its dense foliage helps stabilize soil on slopes and woodland banks, preventing erosion naturally. Its upright growth habit complements hostas, trilliums, foamflower, wild ginger, and other shade-loving perennials, creating layered, harmonious plantings. Because it stays evergreen, Christmas Fern adds valuable winter structure that softens stone paths, mulch beds, and shaded edges. With minimal maintenance required, it's a reliable perennial that returns every year with fresh, healthy growth.
Questions About Christmas Fern
Is Christmas Fern evergreen?
Yes, the Christmas Fern remains green year-round, providing landscapes with color even in the winter months.
Does Christmas Fern spread?
It forms clumps rather than aggressive mats. Over time, it slowly increases in size without overtaking surrounding plants.
What kind of light does Christmas Fern need?
It thrives in shade to partial shade. Morning sun is acceptable, but deep shade is ideal for lush, healthy fronds.
Is Christmas Fern easy to grow?
Very. It's one of the easiest native ferns to care for, requiring only moisture, organic soil, and protection from harsh afternoon sun.
Does Christmas Fern die back in winter?
No-it stays evergreen. Old fronds flatten in spring as new fiddleheads emerge, giving it fresh seasonal growth.
With more than six decades of horticultural experience, TN Nursery proudly offers premium Christmas Ferns that bring evergreen beauty, soil stability, and timeless woodland elegance to shaded landscapes nationwide.