{"product_id":"polystichum-acrostichoides-christmas-fern","title":"Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most dependable evergreen ferns for dry shade, Christmas fern is confirmed deer- and rabbit-resistant, providing genuine winter structure and cover for small wildlife even through the coldest months when most other perennials have gone dormant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePolystichum acrostichoides, or Christmas fern, is a robust, evergreen fern native to the eastern half of North America, forming vase-shaped clumps of leathery, lance-shaped fronds up to 2 feet tall. Its fronds often stay green right through the holiday season, giving the plant its festive common name, with distinctive small pinnae resembling tiny Christmas stockings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApplication\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvergreen shade and woodland garden groundcover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDry shade plantings - tolerant where many other species struggle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeer-pressured woodland sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErosion control on shaded slopes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions \/ Specification Data\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part Shade to Full Shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\/Moisture Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool, moist, well-drained soil; tolerates dry shade once established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1-2 ft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\/None - evergreen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWetland Indicator Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e NI (No Indicator) - see flags\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northeast\/Mid-Atlantic (full list)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e None significant - a spore-bearing fern with no flowers; reproduces without pollinators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHydrology:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry-Mesic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shallow (Under 12 in.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlood Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low - A dry-mesic woodland fern adapted to well-drained soil; not tolerant of standing water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShade Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tolerant - impressive tolerance of dry shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clumping\/Mounding - fountain-shaped\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes (Rarely Damaged)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eRhizomatous but will not spread aggressively or naturalize; clumps simply increase in size over time. Avoid consistently wet or heavy clay soils, which can cause crown rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Pinelands Nursery","offers":[{"title":"32 Cell Tubeling","offer_id":48941168754759,"sku":"POL-ACR 32TBL","price":168.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0675\/1649\/7991\/files\/Fiddleheads1.jpg?v=1791491182","url":"https:\/\/www.pinelandsnursery.com\/products\/polystichum-acrostichoides-christmas-fern","provider":"Pinelands Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}