Cyrtomium fortunei

Common name: Fortune's Holly Fern

Description: This handsome evergreen fern from East Asia offers bold, architectural foliage that provides excellent year-round structure in shaded areas. The dark green, glossy fronds are composed of holly-like leaflets with slightly serrated edges, creating an elegant, formal appearance quite unlike typical British ferns. The fronds are particularly tough and leathery, giving them excellent weather resistance and making them valuable for providing structure through winter when they often look their best. The upright shuttlecock-shaped habit creates excellent architectural impact, and the glossy foliage reflects light beautifully in shaded positions. This is one of the most drought-tolerant ferns once established, making it particularly valuable for difficult dry shade under trees. The combination of bold form, evergreen foliage, and ease of cultivation makes this an outstanding choice for contemporary gardens, oriental-style plantings, or adding structure to woodland gardens.

Other benefits: bold evergreen foliage, architectural form, drought tolerant for a fern, excellent winter structure, low maintenance, glossy fronds

Wildlife attraction: provides shelter for ground-dwelling wildlife

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.6m x 0.6m

Position: partial shade to full shade; tolerates deep shade well

Soil pH: adaptable to most soils; performs well in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions

Moisture: moderate watering required initially; drought tolerant once established; prefers well-drained soil

Winter hardiness: hardy to -10°C; best with some winter protection in coldest areas