Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)
Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)
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Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) expresses the viable seed content of a seed lot using its purity and germination or viability test results. It helps you compare seed lots and calculate how much bulk seed is needed to meet a specified PLS planting rate.
PLS weight and bag weight
PLS weight is not the same as the total weight of seed in a bag. For example, a lot with 80% purity and 75% viability contains 60% PLS: 80 × 75 ÷ 100 = 60. Supplying 10 lb PLS from that lot requires about 16.67 lb of bulk seed.
Use the current seed test and the stated basis of the mix specification. Germination calculations may include applicable hard or dormant seed. Seed-count estimates also require the number of seeds per pound; PLS alone does not provide a seed count.
What to check when buying a mix
Check whether each rate is stated in PLS pounds, bulk pounds, or a combination. A mix with both bases should not be described as having an all-PLS total.
PLS does not remove weed seeds or guarantee establishment. Review the seed label and analysis for weed content, and match site preparation, planting conditions and follow-up management to your project.
Sources: USDA NRCS, Understanding Pure Live Seed and The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
0.01 pounds = 0.16 ounces
- 0.1 pounds = 1.6 ounces
- 0.25 pounds = 4 ounces
- 0.5 pounds = 8 ounces
- 0.75 pounds = 12 ounces
- 1.00 pounds = 16 ounces
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) holds evergreen fronds in gradually enlarging clumps, bringing foliage to a shaded garden through winter. It prefers humus-rich soil with good drainage and dry to moderate moisture. Avoid a waterlogged crown, particularly in winter; its restrained spread suits woodland beds and shaded slopes.
Check the product options above for the available format and quantity.
Plant specifications & ecological relationships
Key growing facts
| Sunlight | Light shade |
|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Mesic to slightly dry |
| Height | 1½–2½ ft |
Show / hide ▾Native Landscaping Companion Plants
Build a layered native planting with grasses and sedges as a matrix, ground covers, seasonal flowers, and plants for texture. Explore the full curated Light Shade Tolerant list below. Match light, soil moisture, mature size, and spreading habit to your site.
Native Landscaping Guide — plan your planting
Hover over a plant name or expand Growing information for details. Short: under 2 ft · Medium: 2 to under 4 ft · Tall: 4 ft or more.
Light Shade Tolerant
Click the buttons below to expand a list of species.
Grasses & Sedges — Matrix Species
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Curly-styled wood sedge (Carex rosea)
Growing information
Height: 8 in–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Sun to shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Fine-textured clumps; height varies with growing conditions.
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James's sedge (Carex jamesii)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–1 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Fine-textured, low clumps.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Best in moist pockets; distinctive palm-like foliage.
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.25 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle tan flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Plant in broad drifts; weave seasonal flowers through the sedge.
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Radiate sedge (Carex radiata)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Late spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Clump-forming matrix for moister woodland pockets.
Ground Covers
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Big-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Growing information
Height: 2.5 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pale lavender to white · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spreads by rhizomes; broad foliage forms colonies.
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Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; white flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; foliage may go dormant in summer.
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.25 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle tan flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Plant in broad drifts; weave seasonal flowers through the sedge.
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Prairie alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; greenish-white flowers · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Clump-forming foliage; use light shade rather than deep shade.
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Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes.
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Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
Growing information
Height: 2 in–8 in (Short) · Color: Green foliage; hidden maroon flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Spreads by rhizomes to form a leafy ground cover.
Flowers
Spring
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Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Arching stems and nodding flowers.
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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–1 ft (Short) · Color: White · Season: Early spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Early spring accent; foliage may go dormant in summer.
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Celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Can self-seed where conditions suit it.
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Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pale blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to moist · Note: In prairie-style gardens, use sheltered part-sun pockets; avoid hot, dry exposures.
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Midland shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pink to white · Season: Late spring · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spring ephemeral; summer dormant.
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Prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Maroon · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Woodland plant despite its common name.
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Sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–6 in (Short) · Color: White, pink or lavender · Season: Early spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Low spring accent.
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Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue flowers; pink buds · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist · Note: Spring ephemeral; summer dormant. In sunnier gardens, use moisture-retentive soil and shelter from hot afternoon sun.
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White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
Growing information
Height: 9 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: White, aging pink · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Spring woodland accent; allow foliage to die back naturally.
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Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) — Part sun / partial shade
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Red and yellow · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part sun / partial shade · Moisture: Moist to dry, well-drained · Note: Use part-sun or lightly shaded pockets in either garden group; seedlings benefit from shelter. Self-seeds into gaps; foliage can decline after flowering.
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Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pink to lavender · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Rounded foliage and spring flowers.
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Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Growing information
Height: 10 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Blue to lavender · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Low spring color between taller plants.
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Yellow trillium (Trillium luteum)
Growing information
Height: 8 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Summer dormant. Native to the southeastern U.S.; not a Chicago-region native.
Summer
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American bellflower (Campanula americana)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Midsummer–early fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Tall; biennial that can renew itself by seed.
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Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Lavender-purple · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average to dry, well-drained · Note: Use brighter woodland edges; can self-seed.
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Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average to dry, well-drained · Note: Upright, bushy form; best flowering in sun. Native to parts of the central and eastern U.S.; Chicago-region native status is uncertain.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Red · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Needs consistent moisture; vivid red flowers.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Needs consistent moisture.
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Hairy wood mint (Blephilia hirsuta)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White to pale lavender · Season: Summer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Airy flowers for the woodland border.
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Nodding onion (Allium cernuum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pink to pale pink · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Nodding flowerheads; use brighter woodland edges.
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Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink-purple · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Use brighter woodland openings for stronger flowering.
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Purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple-pink · Season: Early summer · Light: Part sun to light shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Best in bright woodland or savanna openings.
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Starry campion (Silene stellata)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Mid–late summer · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Fringed petals add fine detail.
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Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–7 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink-purple · Season: Midsummer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Tall; place toward the back.
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Tall thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Early–midsummer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Understated flowers and distinctive seedheads.
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Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)
Growing information
Height: 2.5 ft–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes.
Fall
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Big-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Growing information
Height: 2.5 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pale lavender to white · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spreads by rhizomes; broad foliage forms colonies.
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Blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pale blue · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Airy fall flowers for woodland edges.
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Blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Arching stems with clusters of yellow flowers.
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Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White with changing yellow to purple centers · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Can self-seed aggressively.
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Drummond's aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3.25 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pale blue to white · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part sun · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Can self-seed aggressively; best at partly shaded edges.
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Elm-leaved goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia)
Growing information
Height: 1.25 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Woodland-edge fall color.
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Short's aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Violet-blue · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part sun · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Late color for open woodland.
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Zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spreads by rhizomes; allow room to expand.
Texture
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Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–7 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: White · Season: Early–midsummer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Tall flower spires; place toward the back.
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Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-green foliage; subtle yellow-green to brown-purple flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Upright foliage and blue fruit provide texture.
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Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average to dry, well-drained · Note: Upright, bushy form; best flowering in sun. Native to parts of the central and eastern U.S.; Chicago-region native status is uncertain.
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Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Evergreen foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Evergreen texture; needs good drainage.
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Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; cinnamon-brown fertile fronds · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Best in consistently moist pockets.
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Curly-styled wood sedge (Carex rosea)
Growing information
Height: 8 in–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Sun to shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Fine-textured clumps; height varies with growing conditions.
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False Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Arching foliage; useful between low and tall layers.
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Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; brown fertile segments · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Upright, architectural fronds.
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Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green and purple-brown flower hood · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Bold foliage and distinctive flower form.
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James's sedge (Carex jamesii)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–1 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Fine-textured, low clumps.
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Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Evergreen foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Evergreen texture; use sheltered, well-drained woodland sites.
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Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; white flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; foliage may go dormant in summer.
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Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; allow room for colonies.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Best in moist pockets; distinctive palm-like foliage.
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.25 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle tan flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Plant in broad drifts; weave seasonal flowers through the sedge.
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Prairie alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; greenish-white flowers · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Clump-forming foliage; use light shade rather than deep shade.
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Radiate sedge (Carex radiata)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Late spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Clump-forming matrix for moister woodland pockets.
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River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green seedheads, aging bronze · Season: Summer–fall seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Can spread aggressively, especially by seed; ornamental hanging seedheads.
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Royal fern (Osmunda regalis)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Tall, open fronds; avoid dry sites.
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Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes.
Show / hide ▾Growing & planting details
| Growth habit | Loose tufts of fronds; occurs individually or in small loose colonies |
|---|---|
| Root form | Rhizomatous, with slowly enlarging clumps. |
| Soil pH | Published cultivation guidance lists acidic soil conditions; no optimal numeric interval is established. |
| Cultivation hardiness zones | Zones 3a–9b (general cultivation guidance) |
| Deer browsing | White-tailed deer browse the evergreen fronds sparingly in winter. |
Plant identification & seed reference
| Botanical name | Polystichum acrostichoides |
|---|---|
| Other common names | christmas fern; Christmas Dagger; Christmas Dagger Fern; Christmas Fern |
| Plant family | Dryopteridaceae |
Show / hide ▾Plant communities & associates
Illinois woodland and stream communities
Middle Fork Woods, Vermilion County (1999–2002 survey). Recorded in: mesic ravine forest; dry-mesic savanna — old growth with canopy closure; dry upland bluff — east-facing river slope; dry upland bluff — west-facing creek slope; dry-mesic upland forest — immature second growth.
Mesic ravine forest — selected native associates: Geranium maculatum, Phlox divaricata, Asarum canadense.
Dry-mesic savanna — old growth with canopy closure — selected native associates: Carex pensylvanica, Bromus pubescens, Phlox divaricata.
These plants share a recorded habitat; they were not necessarily found in the same small plot.
Other regional plant communities
These plants are named with this species in published vegetation accounts. Each list keeps its community and region; some records describe a shared vegetation type rather than neighboring plants in a measured plot. They are ecological records, not a planting recipe, and may include plants unsuitable for a particular garden.
- Submesic oak forest (South Carolina coastal plain): Geranium maculatum.
Show / hide ▾Native range & C-value
State nativity describes a broad range. Use the Chicago-region assessment for local context; a state listing does not establish county nativity.
| Wetland indicator — NWPL 2022 Midwest | UPL |
|---|---|
| C-value — Chicago region, Flora 2017 | 8 |
| Chicago-region native — Flora 2017 | Yes |
| Native range — U.S. states | Alabama; Arkansas; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Vermont; Virginia; West Virginia; Wisconsin |
| County nativity | Not yet verified; occurrence records do not establish nativity. |
Show / hide ▾Pollinators & wildlife
Caterpillars & other plant-feeding insects
This plant has published caterpillar host records for the butterflies and moths listed below. These are larval feeding relationships, separate from adult nectar visits. The records span a North American literature compilation and do not establish that every insect occurs locally or uses only this plant.
Moths
- Herpetogramma sphingealis
Show / hide ▾Frequently asked questions
What are the ideal growing conditions for Christmas Fern?
Light: Light shade. Soil moisture: Mesic to slightly dry.
Is Christmas Fern deer and herbivore resistant?
White-tailed deer browse the evergreen fronds sparingly in winter. Even plants described as resistant may be browsed. Use physical protection where deer damage is a concern.
Show / hide ▾Sources & ecological notes
Native landscaping evidence: These planting suggestions draw on published growing requirements, mature form and spread. Placement and maintenance advice reflects landscape design judgment using these sources: Polystichum acrostichoides; Carex rosea; Geranium maculatum; NC State Extension — Christmas Fern.
Illinois woodland records: Larimore, Phillippe & Ebinger (2008), Middle Fork Woods flora, Appendix I. © 2008 University of Illinois Board of Trustees, CC BY 4.0. Habitat records transcribed, selected and linked to catalog names by Natural Communities. Survey: 1999–2002.
Native range & ecological ratings: Flora of the Chicago Region (2017), via Universal FQA; Kew WCVP / Plants of the World Online; USACE Chicago FQA (2017); USACE National Wetland Plant List.
Growing conditions & other references: Illinois Wildflowers, John Hilty; USDA Forest Service: Geranium maculatum; NC State Extension Plant Toolbox.
Wildlife records: Shropshire & Tallamy: caterpillar hosts (2025).
Native range does not identify the origin of the seed or plants offered. Community and wildlife records apply to the locations and conditions described.
Research notes & credits
Caterpillar host records: Shropshire, K.J. & Tallamy, D.W. (2025), Lepidoptera of North America, Supplement 1. Contains information from this database made available under the Open Database License (ODbL 1.0). Natural Communities selected species-level records and screened source qualifications. The complete selection and transformation instructions for this page are available below under the same license.
State nativity: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 4 June 2026 release; taxon Polystichum acrostichoides. © The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. CC BY 3.0; selected and reformatted. Only records marked native, not extinct and not doubtful are included. Kew cannot warrant the quality or accuracy of these data; no Kew endorsement is implied.
USACE/ERDC fqadata — Chicago Region FQA 2017. Herman, B., Sliwinski, R. & Whitaker, S. (2017), Chicago Region FQA Calculator; distributed by USACE/ERDC in fqadata under CC0. Values may differ from Flora of the Chicago Region (2017). CC0 dedication. Retained for comparison; the displayed C-value follows Flora database 80.
Flora rating attribution: Kenneth Johnson (2018), Flora of the Chicago Region UFQA Database, following Gerould Wilhelm and Laura Rericha (2017), Flora of the Chicago Region: A Floristic and Ecological Synthesis. Individual rating facts are presented with original commentary; the calculator’s software license is not treated as a license for the underlying Flora publication.
Caterpillar research records
Plant: Polystichum acrostichoides
Record scope: Host literature synthesis; no county nativity or local insect occurrence inferred.
Shropshire & Tallamy (2025) · Original research dataset · Reuse license: ODbL-1.0
| Plant names in the source | Source insect record IDs |
|---|---|
| Polystichum acrostichoides | 206844 |
How these records were selected
To reproduce this selection, use the “UDELep May 2025” worksheet in the original research dataset.
- Match the insect record IDs above to column A (UDLepID). Within each table row, pair every listed insect ID with every listed source plant name.
- Use the first two words in column H for the insect’s scientific name, column E for its common name, and column AB for its source category.
- Treat the selected pairs as reported caterpillar host records. Keep all other source fields unchanged and outside this selected table. Include no other rows or host pairs.
- Group butterflies and skippers together, and the other categories as moths. Retain the source’s exotic-category labels and sort display names by scientific insect name.
Growing guidance: Illinois Extension — Keeping deer out of the yard and garden. Selected facts in original wording. General deer advice is not a species resistance rating.
One of my favorite ferns that we sell for its great shape. Typically grows in an arching clump to 2' tall and features leathery, evergreen (green at Christmas time as the common name suggests) fronds. When not buried by snow, evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape.
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- Container trees and shrubs: Some #3 and #5 container options are offered for scheduled pickup only. Check the selected product option and the cart pickup instructions before ordering. Pickup and shipped items require separate orders where indicated in the cart.
- Wholesale orders: Delivery and pickup are arranged separately according to the order, supplier yard and location. Wholesale pickup is free.
- Pickup locations and dates are confirmed by email. Please wait for confirmation before traveling to a pickup site. Our offices are not retail stores or nursery pickup locations.
Order Fulfilment - When Your Plants or Other Items Will Be Ready
We take orders all year long and seed is shipped all year, but we only provide the plants to you in certain fulfillment windows to ensure healthy plants.
Wholesale Orders
- Shipped or are Ready For Pick Up As Requested.
Retail & Website Orders
- Seed Typically Ships Out Within One Week Of Order All Year Long
- Typically, single species flats ship when ready, sometimes as soon as early to mid-April (depends on weather) through early-October.
- Mixed species kits are batched and shipped as indicated on the product page.
- If a plant order is placed while outside of the plant fulfillment window your plants will be reserved through your payment, however, the order will not be fulfilled and shipped until the following spring. We don't want to provide you plants when they won't be happy during the cold winter months.
- Early in the spring and later in the fall certain species may be dormant or partially dormant with brown leaves, however they will return to grow healthy next growing season.
- Your order may arrive in several different shipments.
- If certain plants within an order will not be available until a later date, we may choose to hold the full order until all are ready. In certain circumstances, we may choose to send them in two separate shipments
- Fulfillment is always dependent upon plant availability. We try our best but sometimes plants do not overwinter well and perish. If a plant is on back order you will receive an email indicating the estimated shipping date. If we can not provide the plant we will first notify you and give you an option of substitution or a refund of that individual species.
- Plants are typically only packaged and shipped on Mondays to ensure they do not sit in the harsh delivery facility for extended periods of time over the weekend. You will receive a confirmation email once your delivery has been shipped and to estimate your delivery date.
- Apparel & accessories are ready typically within one to two weeks. See product page for holiday shipping.
Where We Ship
What to Expect When Receiving Your Delivery
- Your plants will be packaged with the utmost care
- We will need to cut back certain plants prior to shipping. This seems counter-intuitive, however, the fewer leaves the less water the plants can lose during shipping, resulting in healthier plants for you. This also enables the plants to fit within the protective packaging and shipped safely.
Shipments
- Larger plant shipments will look similar to the picture below with a tray of your plants and a cardboard box to protect them during shipping.
What to Do With Your Plants After Receiving Your Delivery
- Unpack your order IMMEDIATELY
- Inspect for damage and report any issues immediately to Natives@NaturalCommunities.net
- Water your plants
- Install your plants as quickly as possible and water the entire garden area thoroughly
- If you cannot install your plants immediately
- Some plants may not be in a container, put them into some kind of a container such as a paper cup with loose soil until installation
- Make sure each plant is receiving the appropriate amount of light.
- Continue to water daily each morning and possibly again in the afternoon
- No additional fertilizer is needed
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.