Bedner's Farm & Greenhouse

Plant Library

 

perennial

Japanese Holly Fern

Cyrtomium falcatum

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Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) at Bedner's Farm & Greenhouse

Japanese Holly Fern

Japanese Holly Fern

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) at Bedner's Farm & Greenhouse

Japanese Holly Fern foliage

Japanese Holly Fern foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  24 inches

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  7b

Other Names:  Polystichum falcatum, Japanese Netvein Holly Fern

Description:

The lovely, leathery, glossy fronds of this bold fern resemble those of a holly; keep moist but soil should be well-drained; cut back fronds as they get damaged; tolerates some sun

Ornamental Features

Japanese Holly Fern is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. Its attractive glossy ferny leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Japanese Holly Fern is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a shapely form and gracefully arching foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Japanese Holly Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Rock/Alpine Gardens
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Japanese Holly Fern will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Massing  Rock  Edging  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features
This Plant Library is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally and changes from day to day, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for current availability. It does not include our entire selection of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.