Christmas Fern offers Year-Round Beauty to Shade and Woodland Landscapes
Christmas ferns are the "belle of the ball" in shade gardens and landscaping. This evergreen native fern plant is extremely cold hardy and keeps its evergreen foliage year-round, making it the #1 best seller for shade gardens. It's a native ground cover that helps control weeds while providing year-round greenery.
When choosing a place to plant Christmas Fern, choose a spot that is moist and shady. Offering year-round greenery is a very enticing attribute of this native fern beauty as well. Its fronds are dark green, and homeowners especially enjoy it due to its year-round beauty.
Reasons to Plant This Hardy Native Plant
- Native to Tennessee and the Eastern U.S.
- Evergreen presence through colder months
- Excellent for stabilizing slopes
- Thrives in low-light environments
- Long-lived and dependable
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Planting Tips
- Choose a shaded or partially shaded location
- Plant in well-draining soil rich in organic matter
- Water regularly during the first establishment period
- Space plants about 12–18 inches apart
Where It Works Best
- Woodland gardens
- Shaded borders
- Hillsides and erosion-prone areas
- Naturalized native landscapes
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What to Expect After Planting
This is where many new gardeners get concerned. When it arrives, it may look simple or even inactive. That’s completely normal. Dormant plants are more resilient during shipping and adapt better once planted.
In some cases, visible growth won’t appear until the following season. That doesn’t mean failure—it means the plant is doing exactly what it should underground.
Fern Growth and Evergreen Year-Round
This hardy, evergreen fern is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to shaded areas of your landscape. With our Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer, you can easily enhance your outdoor space without breaking the bank.
The fern is not only beautiful but is also exceptionally easy to grow, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Its ability to thrive in hardiness zones 3-10 and beyond ensures you can enjoy its vibrant green foliage year-round. This shade-loving plant is also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, providing a low-maintenance solution for your garden.
Most Asked Questions:
Do Christmas Ferns Come Back Every Year?
Yes, they are perennials and return every year and live for decades.
Do Native Ferns Need alot of Care, Water, or Maintenance, and Are They a Native Plant?
No, they grow wild because they are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants.
What Zones Do They Grow Well In?
They do exceptionally well in zones 3-9. This shows that these ferns will survive from warm climates to very cool zones.
Characteristics That Make People Want Christmas Ferns in Their Shade Spaces
- Hardy Evergreen: Retains its lush green color throughout the year
- Shade Tolerant: Perfect for those tricky shaded spots
- Drought Resistant: Requires minimal watering once established
- Deer Resistant: Keeps your garden safe from browsing wildlife
- Easy to Grow: Ideal for gardeners of all skill levels
Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your garden with the stunning Christmas Fern. Order now and take advantage of our Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer to fully enjoy the beauty and benefits of this remarkable plant!
Customer Reviews
I bought 50 Christmas ferns about 7-8 yrs ago from TN nursery for my 50 acre woodland. They have done great even in the drier shady areas just shorter than in the damp areas.
The Christmas Ferns I bought from TN Nursery are exceptional quality. They brighten up the shaded areas of my property and provide lasting greenery even through the winter. I appreciate the care TN Nursery puts into shipping healthy plants. These ferns are a wonderful investment.
I am thrilled with my Christmas Fern purchase. These ferns add elegance and texture to my shaded garden, and they’ve remained healthy and strong since planting. TN Nursery shipped them promptly, and the packaging ensured every fern arrived intact. Highly recommended!
The Christmas Ferns I purchased from TN Nursery are outstanding. They arrived healthy, with rich green fronds, and have already spread nicely in my woodland area. I love that they stay green all year long and add natural texture to my landscape. TN Nursery is the best source for ferns.
I am beyond satisfied with the Christmas Ferns from TN Nursery. They are hardy, adaptable, and look beautiful in my shaded front yard. I was impressed by how well the plants were shipped and how quickly they settled in. A must-have for anyone who wants reliable evergreen ferns.
Do Christmas ferns like sun or shade?
Christmas ferns prefer partial to full shade for best growth.Their evergreen fronds stay lush year-round, making them an easy and attractive choice for shaded gardens.
Do Christmas ferns spread?
Yes, Christmas ferns spread slowly over time through short underground rhizomes. They form neat clumps that gradually expand, creating beautiful green patches in shaded areas. Their controlled growth makes them perfect for low-maintenance ground cover.
Do Christmas ferns come back every year?
Yes, Christmas ferns come back every year and stay green even through winter. Their hardy evergreen fronds provide lasting color in shaded gardens. They’re reliable, low-maintenance plants that thrive year after year.
Exposure
Shade
Height at Maturity
Over 2 Feet
Usage
Shade Plant
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
USPS
Planting Zones
3-9
How To Grow
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Fern Rhizomes
Bare root fern rhizomes are easy to plant and bring lush, woodland beauty to shaded or partially shaded areas. To begin, soak the rhizomes in water for 1–2 hours before planting to help rehydrate them. Choose a planting site with rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter. Ferns thrive in moisture-retentive soil, so amending with compost or leaf mold is ideal.
Dig a shallow hole wide enough to spread the rhizome out horizontally, and place it just below the soil surface with the growing tips (or “eyes”) facing upward. Cover lightly with soil, press gently, and water thoroughly. Keep the soil evenly moist—never dry or soggy—while the fern establishes.
Mulch with leaf litter or pine needles to conserve moisture and mimic the fern’s natural habitat. Avoid direct sunlight, as most native ferns prefer cool, shaded conditions. With patience and proper care, the rhizomes will send up new fronds and form a graceful, low-maintenance colony that returns year after year.
