ornamental perennial
Holly fern
A glossy evergreen fern for warm shaded gardens.
Growing Profile
- Hardiness
- Zones 6a-9b
- Sun
- Partial
- Soil
- Loam
- Water
- Medium
- Deer pressure
- Rarely damaged Use as a deer browsing cue, not a guarantee; heavy deer pressure can override resistance ratings.
- Black walnut
- Not rated No black-walnut cue is assigned yet; verify placement if planting inside a walnut root zone.
- Planting depth
- Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot.
- Container min
- 3+ gal (workable)
- Goals
- Curb appeal & color
Harvest & Use
- Window
- evergreen glossy fronds
- Output
- 28-52 weeks of structure/year
- First output
- 1-2 yrs
- Best for
- Curb appeal & color
Timing: evergreen glossy fronds. This profile tracks 28-52 weeks of structure/year with a harvest or display window of 16-28 weeks where defensible.
Plant photos
What it looks like in the garden
Use these photos to compare the plant's leaves, stems, flowers, fruit, and overall habit before you buy or plant.
Photos show a representative plant in the garden. Cultivar appearance, fruit color, bloom timing, and growth habit can vary by site and season.
Photo sources: Agnieszka KwiecieĊ, Nova (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quantitative Profile
- Full output
- 2-3 yrs
- Mature size
- 3-12 ft H x 3-10 ft W
- Spacing
- 3-8 ft in-row x 1-3 ft rows
- Planting depth
- Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot.
- Container min
- 3+ gal (workable)
- Productive life
- 3-10 yrs
- Difficulty
- 1/5
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Data quality
- Medium profile, No pound-yield source
Pound return is the stock-style yield metric. These are planning ranges for comparing plants, not guarantees. Cultivar, rootstock, climate, soil, pruning, pest pressure, and wildlife can move actual results.
Planting Checklist
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Right-size container with drainage
Containers / Before plantingUse a container large enough for mature roots, with open drainage holes to prevent root rot.
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Expanding container potting mix
Containers / Before plantingUse a lighter container medium instead of dense garden soil in pots and grow bags.
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Organic mulch
Soil / After plantingHold soil moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and protect shallow roots.
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Hand trowel
Tools / Planting dayPlant starts, herbs, flowers, bulbs, and smaller container plants at the right depth.
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Watering wand or can
Watering / Planting dayWater new transplants gently without washing soil away from the crown or roots.
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Finished compost
Soil / Bed prepImprove bed structure and organic matter before planting annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees.
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Bypass pruners
Maintenance / First seasonMake clean cuts for harvesting, deadheading, shaping, and light pruning.
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Acid-soil amendment
Soil / After soil testKeep acid-loving crops and ornamentals in the pH range they need.
Planting Strategy
- Planting depth: Set the crown at the same level it grew in the nursery pot.
- Container minimum: 3+ gal (workable). Use 3+ gal for establishment and size up as clumps mature.
- Start with one plant when testing fit in a new bed or container.
Risk Factors
- Match the site first: partial light, loam soil, and medium water.
- Use 3-8 ft in-row x 1-3 ft rows as the first spacing model; adjust for hedges, trellises, containers, or local guidance.
- Plan around mature size: 3-12 ft H x 3-10 ft W.
- Local drainage, pests, chill hours, wildlife pressure, and microclimates can change the result.
Related Planning Guides
Comparable Plants
Sources & Methodology
This guide combines hardiness range, light, soil, water, harvest timing, traits, supplier links, plant relationships, and quantitative planning metrics. Pairings are screened for practical garden fit.
Quantitative values use extension and botanical-reference ranges where available. For less-studied cultivars, similar crops fill gaps conservatively. Ranges are intentionally broad so the profile stays useful without pretending to be exact.
Planning sources: NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxMissouri Botanical Garden Plant FinderK-State Extension Master Gardener Handbook - Herbaceous PlantsUniversity of Maryland Extension - Types of Containers for Growing VegetablesRutgers NJAES - Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance
Supplier search: Amazon. Search links are not paid placements unless explicitly marked; affiliate listings may earn a commission. Last reviewed: 2026-05-31.