Cyrtomium fortunei

Description

Cyrtomium fortunei – Fortune’s holly fern

Botanical name: Cyrtomium fortunei
Common names: Fortune’s holly fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Plant type: Evergreen fern
Habit: Clump-forming, arching
Pot size: 3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 40–60cm tall × 40–60cm spread
Foliage: Leathery, matt green, holly-like pinnae along arching fronds; evergreen
Flowers: None — ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates lime and drier shade; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 6–9
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Species native to eastern Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Cyrtomium fortunei, Fortune’s holly fern, is an evergreen with leathery, holly-like matt green pinnae along gracefully arching fronds. Tough and adaptable, it tolerates dry shade and lime, ideal for shady borders and courtyards.

GardenAdvice notes

An unusual and adaptable evergreen fern from eastern Asia, Fortune’s holly fern is grown for its distinctive holly-shaped, leathery pinnae along arching fronds. It is one of the toughest ferns, tolerating drier shade and lime better than most, and gives handsome year-round structure to a shady border, courtyard or shaded wall.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade. It is more tolerant of dry shade and lime than many ferns, making it useful in difficult spots, though it does best with reliable moisture. Work in leaf mould, and space about 45cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil from drying out while establishing, and mulch with leaf mould in autumn. Remove old, tatty or frost-burnt fronds in early spring before new growth appears. In very cold gardens a sheltered spot helps protect the evergreen fronds.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.
• Spores: Can be raised from spores sown on moist, sterile compost, though this is slow and specialised.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Young fronds may be grazed by slugs and snails, and foliage can scorch in exposed positions. Otherwise robust and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for shady and woodland borders, courtyards, shaded walls and difficult dry-shade spots, where its glossy holly-like fronds provide unusual evergreen texture.

Wildlife value

The evergreen fronds provide year-round cover and shelter for small invertebrates.

Toxicity & safety

Ferns are generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets, though as with all ornamental plants they are not intended for eating.

GardenAdvice tip

Fortune’s holly fern is one of the best ferns for a tricky shady spot — it puts up with drier shade and limy soil that most ferns hate, and its holly-shaped fronds look good all year. Give it a bit of shelter in cold gardens so the winter fronds stay handsome, and tidy away the old ones each spring.

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