Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Polystichum x dycei
Dyce's Holly Fern
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Height
- 1.5 to 3 feet
- Width
- 2 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- Non-flowering
- Foliage color
- Glossy dark green, evergreen
- Bloom time
- Non-flowering
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Medium
- Maintenance
- Low; remove old fronds as needed; can propagate via bulbils that form at frond tips
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6 to 8
- Wildlife
- Deer-resistant; not specifically known to attract wildlife
About this plant
Polystichum × dycei is an evergreen fern celebrated for its robust, arching fronds. The glossy, dark green fronds are bipinnate and lance-shaped, contributing to a lush, symmetrical appearance in shaded garden areas. Unlike flowering plants, ferns do not have a blooming season; instead, their ornamental value lies in their foliage, which remains vibrant throughout the year.
Named in honor of British fern enthusiast James Wood Dyce, it has become a favored choice for woodland gardens and shaded borders, offering year-round interest and texture. Notably, Polystichum × dycei produces bulbils at the tips of its fronds, allowing for easy propagation and the formation of new plants when the bulbils come into contact with soil.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Foamflowers · Epimediums · Hostas · Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Lungworts
Design tip
Use it as a steady framework plant, repeating it along a bed to tie separate plantings together. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
