Fortune's Holly Fern

Fortune's Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei)

Fortune's Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei) is a robust, evergreen fern known for its holly-like, glossy fronds that add year-round interest to shaded gardens. Its adaptability to various soil types and resilience to cold weather make it a popular choice for woodland landscapes, shaded borders, and container plantings.

Distinctive Features

Fortune's Holly Fern features deep green, leathery fronds with a distinctive holly-like texture, giving it a bold and structured appearance. Unlike delicate ferns, its sturdy foliage remains evergreen in milder climates, providing long-lasting ornamental value.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Prefers partial to full shade.
• Soil: Moist, well-draining, rich in organic matter.
• Water: Prefers consistently moist soil but tolerates short periods of dryness.
• Humidity: Thrives in moderate to high humidity environments.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10.

Ideal Uses

• Woodland Gardens: Adds structure and evergreen appeal to shaded landscapes.
• Shaded Borders & Beds: Provides contrast against finer-textured foliage plants.
• Container Gardens: Thrives in pots, adding year-round greenery to shaded patios.
• Fern & Native Plant Gardens: Complements other shade-loving perennials.

Low Maintenance Care

Fortune's Holly Fern is easy to grow with minimal care when provided with proper moisture and shade.

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but well-drained.
• Pruning: Remove older, damaged fronds to maintain a neat appearance.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth.
• Propagation: Best propagated by division in early spring or fall.

Why Choose Fortune's Holly Fern?

With its bold, holly-like fronds, evergreen presence, and adaptability to shade, Fortune's Holly Fern is an excellent choice for adding structure and texture to shaded landscapes.

• Year-Round Interest: Evergreen foliage provides structure in all seasons.
• Bold Texture: Thick, holly-like fronds stand out in shade gardens.
• Shade-Loving: Thrives in low-light conditions.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established.
• Versatile Placement: Perfect for woodland gardens, borders, and container plantings.

For those looking to introduce a bold, evergreen fern to their shaded spaces, Fortune's Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei) is an outstanding choice.