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Cyrtomium falcatum (Holly fern)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cyrtomium falcatum
Other names
Holly fern, Japanese holly fern, Fishtail fern, House holly fern , Phanerophlebia falcata, Polystichum falcatum , Japanese netvein hollyfern
Genus
Cyrtomium Cyrtomium
Species
C. falcatum - C. falcatum is a tender to half-hardy, evergreen or semi-evergreen fern with glossy, spreading, dark green frond with thick, leathery, holly-like pinnae.
Cyrtomium falcatum is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation
Sow seed at 16C in late summer.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Cyrtomium falcatum (Holly fern) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Foliage only, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in a cool, moist but well-drained, lightly shaded site. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well. Protect overwinter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cyrtomium falcatum
Other names
Holly fern, Japanese holly fern, Fishtail fern, House holly fern , Phanerophlebia falcata, Polystichum falcatum , Japanese netvein hollyfern
Genus
Cyrtomium Cyrtomium
Species
C. falcatum - C. falcatum is a tender to half-hardy, evergreen or semi-evergreen fern with glossy, spreading, dark green frond with thick, leathery, holly-like pinnae.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation
Sow seed at 16C in late summer.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cyrtomium falcatum (Holly fern) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Foliage only, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in a cool, moist but well-drained, lightly shaded site. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well. Protect overwinter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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