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Christmas Fern
Stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas. It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen (green at Christmas time as the common name suggests) fronds. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. The evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape. These plants serve as hosts for butterfly larvae. The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and has a moderately dense crown. This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. ... details
Hayscented Fern When the leaves are bruised they smell like fresh mown hay, hence the name. They are vigorous growers and tolerate most conditions. This perennial fern grows fast and is deciduous. Hay Scented Ferns are also known as Cup ferns. Landscape uses are for borders, massing, specimen and groundcover. It can be identified by its lacy, light-green fronds that feel very slightly sticky to the touch. It often grows in large colonies and appears to be forming a carpet. It is an aggressive spreader and is a very popular garden fern. The Hayscented Fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, is very common. |
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