Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a robust, leathery fern which has glossy, green fronds year-round. Curved silvery fiddleheads emerge in early spring followed by 1-3 foot fronds that have many leaflets. They produce black spores on the underside of the leaf.

It grows  in organically rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. This fern will not spread or naturalize, however its clumps will increase in size over time.

It provides winter cover near the ground for songbirds which also use parts and scale-like hairs in nest construction. It is deer and rabbit resistant.