Cyrtomium ( Holly Fern )

Cyrtomium ( Holly Fern )
A small genus of leathery leaved Ferns which thrive in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil.
All are deer resistant. They are rarely bothered by pests or disease other than occasional slugs. Old clumps can be divided during autumn or early spring. Protect plants in colder climates with a deep mulch of straw during winter. Cut freeze damaged fronds to ground in early spring before new growth begins.

* photo taken on November 7 2010 in Columbia, MD


Cyrtomium caryotideum
A very beautiful, evergreen Fern forming a compact rhizomatous clump up to 2.5 x 3+ feet across, that is native to China, Japan, Vietnam and the Phillipines.
The erect, leathery, pinnate fronds are up to 28 inches in length. They are composed of up to 12 broad, pointy-lobed leaflets, up to 6 x 3 inches. The foliage is verdant green. The foliage looks like that of the Caryota ( Fishtail Palm ) hence the name.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 and easy to grow.

* photos taken on Nov 19 2016 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photos taken on Jan 9 2020 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

'Go Fish'
A very vigorous clone however eventually maturing at about the same size.

Cyrtomium falcatum
Native from India to China and Japan, this is a very beautiful, evergreen Fern forming a rapid growing clump up to 4 x 4 feet.
The erect, leathery fronds, up to 48 x 10 inches, are composed of up to 12 verdant, glossy green, Holly-like leaflets, up to 6 x 3 inches. Looks great planted along a house foundation or sidewalk. The glossy foliage is bright green at first, quickly turning to very deep green.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 and easy to grow as long as it has excellent drainage. Tolerant of arid conditions, it is among the most frequently used of Ferns in the south and southwestern U.S. It prefers a moist, shady, sheltered position but isn't very fussy of either soil texture or PH.

* photo taken on April 11 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.



* photos taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.



* photo taken on 4th of July 2010 in Washington, D.C.

* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC

* photo taken on Sep 2 2022 @ Smithsonian Institute, Wash, DC

'Butterfieldii'
The toothed leaflets have a long pointed tip.

'Rochfordianum'
Virtually identical but more vigorous and hardier, north into zone 6 with reports of even zone 5 with some winter protection. The leaves, up to 40 inches in length, are composed of up to 24 leaflets, up to 5 inches in length and coarsely fringed. The slightly lobed or coarsely toothed leaflets are glossy deep green.

* photo taken on Oct 15 2017 in Elkridge, MD

Cyrtomium fortunei ( Fortune's Holly Fern )
Native to Korea, China and southern Japan, this is a very beautiful Fern forming a compact rhizomatous clump up to 2.5 x 3 feet across.
The erect, leathery fronds, up to 36 x 9 inches, are composed of up to 52 verdant green Holly-like leaflets, up to 6 x 3 inches. The foliage is typically evergreen, even in zone 6. The leafstalks are purplish.
It has escaped into the wild in parts of Oregon and the deep South.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 and easy to grow.

* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photo taken on Nov 19 2016 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD

* photo taken on Dec 28 2018 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 22 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 20 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Oct 3 2022 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 29 2023 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on July 18 2024 in Columbia, MD

Cyrtomium macrophyllum ( Large-Leaved Holly Fern )
Native to Korea, China and southern Japan, this is a very beautiful Fern forming a compact rhizomatous clump up to 2.5 x 3 feet across.
The erect, arching leathery fronds, up to 30 x 10 inches, are composed of up to 16 verdant green leaflets, up to 8 x 4 inches. The leafstalks are green.
It is reported to be evergreen, even in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 and easy to grow and even enjoys hot humid summers. Prefers partial to full shade on moist acidic soil.