Landscape AlterNATIVEs: A Guide to Native Landscape Plants CHRISTMAS FERN (POLYSTICHUM ACROSTICHOIDES)

by Steven Yergeau, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent (Ocean & Atlantic Counties)

Native plants are a good way to incorporate sustainable vegetation into yards for clients who are environmentally minded. Native plants are adapted to local climate and soil conditions, requiring less water, fertilizers, and pesticides than non-native vegetation. For landscapers who have property owners looking for native alternatives to non-native vegetation, below is an option to meet your clients’ needs.

Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a hardy, evergreen fern that can grow up to 2 feet high but does not spread very far (only 1 - 2 feet) (Photo 1). It gets its name from its leathery, green fronds which remain vibrant through the holiday season. Christmas ferns are a great way to add winter interest to a garden. Christmas fern grows in clumps, with the clumps growing larger as the plant matures. Because of this, it makes a good groundcover if many are densely planted or as an evergreen border for a garden.

Christmas fern does best in cool, moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate some shade to heavily shaded areas. It does not do well in clay soils, standing water, or in full sun. Christmas fern also prefers acidic to slightly acidic soils (pH <6.8). It is quite easy to establish and grow in the right conditions.

Christmas fern is considered a highly deer resistant plant as it is rarely damaged by deer browsing. It makes a good ornamental plant for areas that have large deer populations, whose browsing affects how successfully other plants grow. It also grows well in woodland gardens, adjacent to water features, and at the base of shade trees. As a fern that reproduces by spores, and not berries or fruits, it is not a good option for attracting or feeding wildlife. Christmas fern is an excellent choice to replace many nonnative ferns, such as Japanese netvein hollyfern (Cyrtomium falcatum), and nonnative ground cover plants such as any variety of hostas (Hosta species).

You can find nurseries in New Jersey that sell native plants by visiting the JerseyFriendly Yards website at http://www. jerseyyards.org/jersey-friendly-plants/ where-to-buy-native-plants/.

Steven Yergeau, Ph.D. is the Dept. Head and Agricultural Agent for Rutgers Co-operative Extension of Ocean County. He is also Assistant Professor for Ocean & Atlantic Counties. For more info visit http://ocean.njaes.rutgers.edu.