Japanese Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei var. clivicola
4-inch pot
 
A handsome evergreen to semi-evergreen fern, this Japanese holly fern forms graceful clumps of arching, matte green fronds divided into distinctive holly-like leaflets. The substantial foliage provides a bold texture that contrasts beautifully with finer ferns, hostas, and woodland groundcovers. Its tidy, architectural form makes it especially useful for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and beneath shrubs.
 
This Asian woodland fern performs best in part to full shade with humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Once established, it is relatively tolerant of drier shade and requires little maintenance. In colder winters the foliage may become damaged or die back, but plants typically produce fresh fronds again in spring.
 
Evergreen to semi-evergreen fern
Zones 6–9
Part shade to full shade
Grows 18–24 in. tall x 18–24 in. wide
Moderate water needs; prefers humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
Deer-resistant
Foliage interest year-round in mild climates