Deer Fern

Deer fern (Blechnum spicant, Blechnaceae) is a slow-growing evergreen fern native to northwest Africa, Europe, and temperate Asia east to Iran and Japan, hardy to minus 20 degrees Celsius. It reaches about 1.5 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet on ascending rhizomes. The species produces two distinct frond types: sterile evergreen fronds with flat, wavy-margined leaflets form a low rosette, while taller fertile fronds emerge from the center bearing spore-producing structures.

Deer fern grows in sun to part shade on moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0 to 8.0), hardy in Zones 4a to 8b. It prefers humus-rich substrates but tolerates clay and poor soils. The plant is rabbit-resistant and handles heavy shade well, making it suited to rock gardens, shade gardens, and woodland borders. It has earned the RHS Award of Garden Merit. No significant pest or disease issues are documented beyond Florida fern caterpillar, and no named cultivars are in the trade.