Christmas Fern

Christmas Ferns thrive in rich, damp soil. Thus, they are a native species and a highly sought-after plant due to their evergreen appearance. The Christmas fern is a favorite at TN Nursery. It's prized in botanical gardens and at some of the most lavish estates in the United States.

Christmas Fern's Aesthetics

Christmas Fern is a type of perennial evergreen that earns its common name because its fronds remain vibrant and deep green until the winter. This rhizomatous, subterranean fern is ideal for many landscapes and offers unique gardening advantages. 

The fronds of the Christmas Fern arise from a central growth point, so they take on a regal, fountain-like splaying form. People have often described the growth of this fern as a bouquet. The fronds are supported by a dark brown stem typically a quarter of the length of the fronds themselves - so they are well-hidden. At full bloom, the fronds take on a deep green hue reminiscent of a lush wooded landscape.

Each frond has many leaflets that are longer near the central growth point (the stem) and shorten gradually along the length of the frond. This gives them a symmetrical shape that is great for adding an air of sophistication and order to your yard or garden.

 The Christmas Fern will remain green throughout the winter

These beautiful ferns may pick up a subtle golden tinge when the temperatures get low. For this reason, adding some festive greenery to your landscape in the winter months is an excellent choice. The fern fronds can reach about two feet long, providing Excellent coverage for ground-dwelling wildlife. Insects that feed on and help cultivate the soil.

 Songbirds. So, if you enjoy stepping out into your front or back yard and hearing the lilting twitters of birds, the Christmas Fern will keep them coming back. New leaves will start to emerge in the Spring. By April, the leaves are typically brimming with green foliage that will remain verdant until the first frost.

 What Are the Benefits of Growing Fern? The Christmas Fern doesn't just provide natural green beauty to your landscape; growing them has excellent practical benefits.

 Soil Cultivation- The fronds of the Christmas Fern grow semi-erect during the Spring, summer, and fall. Around the time of the first frost, they lie prostrate on the ground, which helps speed up the decomposition of organic material, ultimately enriching the soil.

Erosion Prevention - A properly planted Christmas Fern will help cultivate the soil and prevent erosion. The roots of the Christmas Fern can also help bind the soil together. If you plan on planting more than one Christmas Fern, leave about 18 inches between them to prevent overcrowding and allow the roots to bind the soil.

 Wildlife Support - Many bird species use the fine hairs that grow on the Christmas Fern to build their nests. Other parts of the fern are also used for nest construction. Small, ground-dwelling animals also use the low-to-the-ground fronds of the Christmas Fern to shield them from predators. So, this fern can provide a sanctuary to many animal and insect species.

 Easy Maintenance - Christmas Ferns are very easy to maintain and don't require much watering or fertilization. Typically, you only need to water this fern about once a week. Saturating the soil could be better. Instead, the Christmas Fern thrives when its soil is moderately damp to slightly dry. This will help you reduce water usage while maintaining dense greenery for your landscape.

 In most conditions, you must only fertilize your Christmas Ferns about once a year to keep them healthy. Important

 Christmas Fern Facts

 Now that you know what you can expect aesthetically from the Christmas Fern and its benefits let's look at some frequently asked questions about it: What is the Christmas Fern's Height at Maturity? While maturity height can vary depending on the conditions, typically, you will not see your Christmas Fern grow to more than three feet in height. Usually, they reach 1.5 to 2 feet in height at maturity.

 When do Christmas Ferns Grow The Most? The typical growth spurt for the Christmas Fern is June, July, and August. However, you may see silvery new leaflets as early as April.

 How Long Does the Christmas Fern Live? Christmas Ferns are hearty and can live for about 15 years when properly maintained. Fronds have a year's lifespan and will die as new fronds grow in the early Spring.

 Do you Need to Prune Christmas Ferns? Again, Christmas Ferns are very low-maintenance and do not require deadheading or pruning. You need to remove yellowing and dead leaflets as they appear on the fronds. However, it is important not to trim this fern when new leaflets appear. Doing so can damage the fronds.

What Kind of Soil Do Christmas Ferns Like? Christmas Ferns are loamy, naturally rich, and moist to moderately dry soil. They don't like soil that is excessively dry or moist. Planting these ferns in soil that can drain well is also essential.

 How do you Plant Christmas Ferns? The Christmas Fern should be planted in the Spring when the last frosts are over. They can also be planted in the early fall before the frosts begin.

The hole you dig for the Christmas Fern must be planted twice as large as the root ball and twice as wide. The crown of the root should be sitting just slightly above the soil level. Adding compost can help growth, and you can retain moisture from dead leaves as mulch.

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 TN Nursery has provided landscaping professionals, homeowners, and gardening enthusiasts with quality vines, shrubs, perennials, trees, ferns, and more for over 64 years. We care about customer satisfaction, so we offer a 100% satisfaction warranty. That's why we are the best choice for all your gardening needs. Order now to add natural beauty to your landscape today!

Native Ferns are Prized For SOil Enhancers and Air Purifiers

Christmas Fern Is Evergreen

Christmas Ferns are natural species and are classified as woody perennial plants. Upscale neighborhoods have these types of gardens that are lush and evergreen with year-round greenery. Although they do not have flowers, the lush fronds are a beautiful attribute in landscaping.

Christmas Ferns are Hardy

This plant is a native and hardy favorite, thriving in zones 3-9. It's versatile, a natural soil enhancer, and disease—and pest-resistant. Gardeners love this plant because of these attributes and also because it is used for shade and border gardens.

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