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

* photo taken on June 22 2025 in Ellicott City, MD

'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

* photo taken on Dec 19 2024 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Aug 6 2025 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.

East Indian Holly Ferns

Arachniodes simplicior ( Variegated Shield Fern )
A medium size, evergreen Fern, reaching up to 4 feet in height ( typically about hald that ), native to Korea and Japan, that forms extensive colonies. This Fern is very late to start into new growth in spring.
The very attractive, evergreen, densely leafed fronds are very glossy, verdant mid-green, variegated with bright yellowish-green in the middle of each pinnae. The fronds reach a maximum size of 34 x 14 inches.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 though may even survive as far north as zone 4 if heavily mulched during winter and on a site protected from wind. However north to zone 6, it will certainly not remain green all winter.
Prefers partial to full shade on moist to wet, fertile, well drained soil as well as protection from wind. Deer resistant.

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

Arachniodes aristata
Similar but hardier, forming a smaller evergreen clump reaching a maximum height of 2.5 feet. It is native to mountain forests of India, China, Korea and Japan; south into Indonesia. It is also native to New Zealand.
The leaves are up to 20+ x 10 inches in size.
Hardy zones 5 to 10

Arachniodes davalliaeformis ( Shiny Bristle Fern )
Reaches up to 2 feet in height, with extremely glossy, deep green foliage that looks artificial and plastic. This Japanese native is very exotic yet hardy.
Hardy zones 6 to 9

Arachniodes miqueliana
Similar to A. simplicior with longer deciduous fronds, up to 3.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet in length. The fronds often persist very late into the fall.
It is native from northern Yunnan through southeast China, Korea and Japan.
Hardier, north to zone 4

* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

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

Arachniodes standishii ( Upside Down Fern )
An evergreen Fern, reaching up to 3 x 4 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, that is native to moist mountain forests ( esp Cryptomeria ) in Korea and Japan.
It often forms dense colonies in the wild.
The lacy fronds, up to 40 x 12 inches in size, are glossy deep green.
Hardy zones 4 to 8

* photo taken on Nov 7 2010 in Columbia, MD

Stephanandra

A small genus of 4 species of shrubs native to eastern Asia, that are closely related to the Spirea. They are grown mainly for their attractive foliage which emerges early in spring, remains lush green all summer, then turns vibrant colors in autumn.
They prefer full sun to partial shade on moist, acidic, light, fertile soil. A mulch with pine bark or pine needles will increase growth. Stephanandra's are very easy to grow and not all that fussy about soil.
Overgrown and straggly plants can be cut back hard in early spring to renovate.
Propagation is from softwood cuttings taken during summer, hardwood cuttings during winter or division in autumn.

* historical archive photo

Stephanandra chinensis
Also called Stephanandra flexuosa. A graceful arching shrub reaching around 6 feet, that is native to southeast and eastern China. Some records include: largest on record - 10 x 8 feet.
The deeply-toothed, oval to triangular leaves are up to 2.8 x 1.2 inches in size. The foliage is green turning to attractive yellow and orange during autumn.
The small white flowers are borne in dense racemes during late spring.
The twigs are smooth and light brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 9

Stephanandra incisa ( Cutleaved Stephanandra )
A fast growing, dense, suckering, medium size arching shrub reaching around 5 feet, that is native to northeastern China, Korea and Japan. Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 10 feet; largest on record - 10 x 10 feet.
The deeply toothed, 3 or 5 lobed, oval to triangular leaves are up to 5 x 3 ( usually half that ) inches in size. The foliage is bronze at first, turning to lush deep green. The foliage turns to rich red during autumn.
The small creamy-white flowers, up to 0.2 inches wide, are borne in dense panicles, during late spring to early summer.
The rich brown shoots are attractive during the winter.
Hardy zones 3 to 8, it is fully hardy at Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Canada though may get some dieback during hard winters which it quickly recovers from.

'Crispa'
Low and mound forming, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 17 ( rarely over 2 x 9 ) feet with small crinkled leaves. It makes an excellent groundcover.

* photo taken on Oct 17 2011 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 @ Stratford, Ontario

Stephanandra tanakae ( Yedo Stephanandra )
A graceful, moderate growing, arching shrub reaching around 6 feet, that is native to Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 8 feet; 10 years - 13 x 13 feet; largest on record - 13 x 16 feet.
The deeply toothed, 3 or 5 lobed, oval to triangular leaves are up to 8 x 4.5 inches in size. The foliage is pinkish at first, turning to mid-green. The foliage usually turns orange and red over a long period of time during autumn.
The small white flowers are borne in airy panicles, up to 4 inches in length, during early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 7, it is very tough and easy to grow.

* photo taken on August 2005 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.

Neem Tree and China Berry

Neem Tree

Azadirachta indica
A spreading, semi-evergreen tree, reaching up to 50 x 80 feet, that is native from India to far southern China.
The pinnate leaves, up to 16 inches in length, are composed of 9 to 17 toothed, ovate leaflets, up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green above, pale green beneath.
The white flowers are borne on panicles up to 10 inches long.
The dark gray bark flakes off to reveal reddish bark beneath.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 in full sun to partial shade on deep sandy soil.

Related Plants

Melia azadarach ( Chinaberry )
A fast growing, rounded, medium-sized to large, deciduous tree, that is native to India and China. It has also naturalized in the U.S., where it is invasive in parts of the southeast. It is frequently planted in southern Europe where it has naturalized in the Balkans. Some records include: largest on record - 150 x 50 ( rarely over 50 in the U.S. ) feet with a trunk diameter of 9.7 feet. Moderately long-lived, trees as old as 400 years are known.
The leaves, up to 2 feet in length are composed of many toothed, ovate or elliptical leaflets up to 2 inches in length. The foliage is glossy deep green above, pale green beneath; turning to greenish-yellow during autumn.
The fragrant, lavender flowers, up to 0.7 inches, are borne on panicles up to 16 inches in length, during late spring.
They are followed by yellow, rounded fruits, up to 0.6 inches across, that are long persistent, lasting through the winter. The birds attract birds and animals.
The lightly furrowed bark is dark gray. The timber is of surprisingly high quality.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 in full sun. It is very heat and drought tolerant and makes a great shade tree for tough urban sites.

* historical archive photos

'Umbraculiformis' ( Texas Umbrella Tree )
Smaller growing, with a compact, broad crown. It reaches a maximum height of 20 feet.

* historical archive photo