Holly Fern
Best low-maintenance evergreen for shaded garden beds and containers.
The Holly Fern offers handsome, herbaceous evergreen foliage with a shapely form and gracefully arching fronds, providing year-round texture. Its dense foliage extends to the ground, making it ideal for mass planting or as a groundcover in shaded areas. This low-maintenance plant is resistant to deer and thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers moist, well-drained, rich, acidic soil, reaching a mature height of 24 inches and a spread of 28 inches. It's also a suitable choice for container planting, adding refined foliage to any garden setting.
$49.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 3268
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
+81%
Above average
Mature Height
24
/ inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking consistent greenery in shaded landscapes
- Busy plant owners needing a resilient, low-maintenance fern
- Indoor decorators looking for adaptable low-light greenery
Who should skip it
- Landscapers wanting rapid ground cover for immediate impact
- Gardeners with heavy, poorly draining soil conditions
- Indoor plant owners avoiding regular pest monitoring
Performance breakdown
Shade Adaptability
Thrives in low-light conditions where most flowering plants struggle.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal intervention to maintain its dense, shapely form.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deters deer, protecting your garden from common browsing damage.
Visual Texture
Arching fronds provide sophisticated, year-round depth to shaded garden beds.
Versatility
Transitions seamlessly from groundcover massing to elegant container arrangements.
Urban Resilience
Handles city pollution well, making it a strong choice for urban landscapes.
Key Specs
Mature Height
24 inches
Spread
28 inches
Growth Rate
medium
Hardiness Zone
6
Water Needs
medium
Maintenance Level
low
Growth Habit
clumping
Foliage Color
forest green
Features
- Handsome evergreen foliage for year-round texture
- Dense foliage eliminates need for facer plants
- Suitable for container thrillers or fillers
- Tolerant of urban pollution
- Deer resistant
- Low maintenance care
- Provides refined foliage texture
- Clumping growth habit
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Holly Ferns sourced from Armstrong Garden Centers. Reviewers frequently note the plants arrive healthy, vibrant, and well established, making them an excellent value. A key theme is the plant's resilience and ease of care, thriving effortlessly in shaded environments. This low maintenance nature ensures even novice gardeners achieve beautiful, lush results, confirming its reputation as a reliable landscape staple.
Know before you buy
Yes, the Holly Fern is considered deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer frequently browse.
Absolutely. Its clumping habit and dense, evergreen foliage make it an excellent choice for containers, either as a standalone thriller or as a filler alongside other shade-loving plants.
This plant performs best in partial to full shade. It is not suited for direct, hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the fronds.
No, the Holly Fern is not considered pet-safe. It is best to keep this plant in areas where your pets do not typically graze or chew on foliage.
It thrives in rich, acidic soil that remains moist but well-drained. Ensure the planting site does not stay waterlogged, as this can lead to root issues.
Since the Holly Fern reaches a mature spread of approximately 28 inches, you should space them about 24 to 28 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$50