Overview

Introduce a touch of natural elegance to your landscape with our collection of 15 Christmas Ferns bare root plants. Scientifically known as Polystichum Acrostichoides, these beautiful native perennials are a gardener’s delight, offering vibrant green foliage that persists throughout the winter months. Unlike many other ferns that die back with the first frost, the Christmas Fern remains evergreen, providing continuous visual interest and structure to your garden even in the coldest seasons. Each order includes 15 healthy bare roots, ready for planting, ensuring a robust start for your new additions. These ferns are organically grown, reflecting our commitment to sustainable gardening practices and ensuring you receive the highest quality plants. Perfect for woodland gardens, shady borders, or naturalized areas, the Christmas Fern is a resilient and enchanting choice for any outdoor space.

The name “Christmas Fern” originates from its evergreen fronds, which were traditionally used as decorations during the winter holidays. This native perennial fern is well-suited to various environments, thriving in the understory of shaded woodlands. Its distinctive, leathery fronds are deeply lobed, resembling miniature Christmas stockings, adding to its charm. When you choose these Christmas Ferns bare root plants, you’re not just buying a plant; you’re investing in a piece of natural heritage that will enhance your garden for years to come. They are an excellent choice for those looking to create a low-maintenance, yet visually stunning, shaded garden.

Key Benefits

Integrating Christmas Ferns bare root plants into your garden offers a multitude of advantages, from aesthetic appeal to ecological benefits. These robust ferns are an excellent choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and resilience.

• Evergreen Foliage: One of the most significant benefits of the Polystichum Acrostichoides is its ability to retain its lush green fronds throughout the entire year, including winter. This provides consistent visual interest and a vibrant texture to your garden when many other plants have receded, making them perfect for an evergreen garden plant.
• Native Plant Advantage: As a native perennial fern, the Christmas Fern is perfectly adapted to local environmental conditions. This means it requires less intervention, such as excessive watering or fertilization, and supports local wildlife.
• Shade Loving and Low Maintenance: These ferns thrive in shaded environments, making them ideal for those challenging spots under trees or on the north side of buildings where other plants struggle. They are remarkably low maintenance once established, requiring minimal care.
• Erosion Control: Due to their fibrous root system and spreading habit, Christmas Ferns are effective at stabilizing soil on slopes and preventing erosion, particularly in wooded or naturalized areas.
• Deer Resistant: Gardeners in areas with deer populations will appreciate that Christmas Ferns are generally unpalatable to deer, making them a safe and long-lasting choice for your landscape.
• Attracts Beneficial Wildlife: While not a food source, the dense foliage provides shelter for small wildlife and insects, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem.
• Organically Grown: Our 15 Christmas Ferns bare root plants are cultivated using organic practices, ensuring that you receive healthy, chemical-free plants that are safe for your garden and the environment.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Christmas Ferns bare root plants is relatively straightforward, making them an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. These resilient plants prefer conditions that mimic their natural woodland habitat. Upon arrival, plant your bare roots as soon as possible. Dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots without bending them, and ensure the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the stem) is level with the soil surface. Gently backfill with soil and water thoroughly.

Sunlight requirements: Christmas Ferns are classic shade loving plants. They thrive in partial to full shade, meaning they should receive no more than 3-4 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the morning. Too much direct sun, especially in the afternoon, can scorch their fronds. They are ideal for planting under deciduous trees, where they receive dappled sunlight in spring and fall, and deeper shade in summer. If planting in a spot with more light, ensure adequate moisture to prevent wilting.

Watering schedule and soil moisture preferences: Consistent moisture is key for healthy Christmas Ferns, especially during their establishment period. The soil should remain evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and soil type. Once established, they can tolerate short periods of drought but will perform best with regular moisture. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. You’ll find that caring for this evergreen garden plant is quite rewarding.

Soil type and drainage requirements: These ferns prefer rich, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Amending heavy clay soils with compost or peat moss will improve drainage and aeration, while sandy soils will benefit from added organic matter to improve water retention. A good quality potting mix enriched with compost is suitable for container planting. This helps the Polystichum Acrostichoides to establish strong roots.

Temperature range and USDA hardiness zone: The Christmas Ferns bare root plants are incredibly hardy, typically thriving in USDA Zones 3-9. They are tolerant of cold winters and hot, humid summers, as long as their moisture and shade requirements are met. They are built to withstand a wide range of temperate climates.

Fertilization schedule and type: Generally, Christmas Ferns do not require heavy fertilization. If your soil is poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial. Alternatively, top-dressing with an inch or two of compost annually will provide all the necessary nutrients and improve soil structure. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can harm the plant.

Common problems and solutions: Christmas Ferns are relatively pest and disease resistant. The most common issues arise from improper growing conditions. Yellowing fronds often indicate too much sun or insufficient water. Brown tips can suggest low humidity or inconsistent watering. Ensure adequate air circulation to prevent fungal issues in very humid environments. Slugs and snails can occasionally be a problem, but usually not severe enough to cause significant damage.

Size & Details

You will receive 15 Christmas Ferns bare root plants, ready for immediate planting. Each bare root is carefully harvested to ensure viability and comes with comprehensive planting instructions to guide you through the process. These bare roots typically establish quickly once planted in appropriate conditions. While initially appearing as just roots, they will soon develop their characteristic fronds. The Christmas Fern typically grows to a mature height of 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) and spreads to a similar width, forming attractive clumps. Its growth rate is moderate, gradually expanding to fill its allotted space.

As a resilient evergreen garden plant, it provides year-round interest. The uncurling fiddleheads emerge in spring, gradually unfurling into the distinctive, leathery fronds that give the fern its common name. These fronds remain vibrant throughout the growing season and into winter, offering a reliable green presence. This native perennial fern is an excellent choice for creating a lush, naturalistic look in your garden, especially in areas where other plants might struggle to thrive due to shade. The roots are shipped without foliage or a pot, minimizing transplant shock and allowing for easier establishment directly into your garden soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Christmas Ferns get? A: Your 15 Christmas Ferns bare root plants will typically grow to a mature height and spread of 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm). They form neat, attractive clumps that gradually expand over time, providing a consistent green presence in your garden.
• Q: Are Christmas Ferns indoor or outdoor plants? A: Christmas Ferns bare root plants are primarily outdoor plants. They are a hardy native perennial fern well-suited for shaded garden areas, woodlands, and naturalized landscapes. They are not typically grown as houseplants.
• Q: How much sunlight do Polystichum Acrostichoides need? A: These are classic shade loving plants. They thrive in partial to full shade, meaning they prefer locations with limited direct sunlight, especially protection from intense afternoon sun. Dappled light or morning sun is ideal for optimal growth.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for, especially for beginners? A: Yes, Polystichum Acrostichoides is considered an easy-to-care-for plant. Once established in suitable shaded, moist, and well-draining soil, it requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent choice for beginners and busy gardeners alike.
• Q: What condition will the Christmas Ferns arrive in? A: Your order will contain 15 Christmas Ferns bare root plants. They are harvested fresh per order and shipped as dormant roots, without foliage or a pot, ensuring they are in the best condition for successful transplanting into your garden.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Christmas Ferns? A: The best time to plant these native perennial fern bare roots is in early spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. This allows the roots to establish before the extremes of summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: Will my evergreen garden plant survive winter in my zone? A: Yes, the Christmas Fern is an exceptionally hardy evergreen garden plant, typically thriving in USDA Zones 3-9. Its fronds remain green throughout the winter, providing continuous beauty even in cold climates.