COMMON NAME: Christmas fern. Early settlers used this native woodland plant for holiday decorations.

SPECIES: Polystichum acrostichoides

SIZE: 1-3 feet tall.

FOLIAGE: Arching, deep-green fronds. Snow or hard frost may push them over.

EXPOSURE: Light to full shade.

CULTURE: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Tolerates drier soil if in full shade; needs extra water if exposed to sun.

PROPAGATION: Dig and separate slender, branched rhizomes to replant fall or spring. Dig hole wide enough to spread rhizomes out. Plant so crown is just above soil level. Fill hole with loose soil; topdress with leafy compost. Ferns also propagated through spores, which have casings often confused with scale insects, but this is a time-consuming process.

FIND A FERN

* Other ferns good for Hampton Roads include cinnamon fern, royal fern, maidenhair fern, ostrich fern, lady fern, holly fern, Japanese painted fern, autumn fern, chain fern, deer fern, hairy lip fern, New York fern, sensitive fern, hayscented fern and shield fern.

* River birch makes a nice companion, sheltering tree for ferns because it, too, likes moist soil.

* To join the American Fern Society, write David Lellinger, membership secretary, 326 West. St. NW, Vienna, Va. 22180-4151 or see www.visuallink.net/fern/index.html .

Sources: Ferns by Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Ferns for American Gardens by MacMillan Publishing