Lovely, compact fern that holds year-round interest.

Deer fern or hard fern, is a northern species native to northwestern North America from Alaska to British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. It is also native to Europe and northeast Asia. It primarily occurs in moist to wet coniferous forests and stream banks or bogs.

Fun fact: This fern has two different types of fronds. Evergreen sterile fronds are stiff, pinnatifid, and form a flattened rosette in the center of the plant. As the season progresses, sterile fronds may lie horizontally along the ground surface.

Fertile fronds form in the center of the sterile frond rosette. They are similar to the sterile fronds but are taller and thinner. Fertile fronds turn brown and die back at end of the summer, leaving the evergreen sterile rosette through winter.

Deer fern prefer full shade to part sun and will spread slowly via rhizome. Despite the name, they are deer resistant and resistant to most insect and disease problems. They look best when planted in the understory in small clusters. Goes well with dicentra, oxalis, and wild ginger.

Water Use: Light to Medium

Light Requirement: Full shade to part shade

Soil Moisture: Damp to dry

Soil type: Clay, loam

Soil pH: 6-8

Drought Tolerance: High

Perennial

Special attributes: Evergreen, shade tolerant, and deer resistant.