Polystichum makinoi

Polystichum makinoi is one of those ferns that truly has it all. Okay...it doesn't have petunia-like flowers or gardenia-like fragrance, but geez...it's a fern. What Polystichum makinoi does have is deer-resistance, an elegant beauty, and an ability to thrive in shade. Native to forested mountains in China and surrounding countries, Polystichum makinoi forms a vigorous, easy-to-grow, 2' tall x 2' wide, dark green, lacy, evergreen clump. The late Dr. John Mickel, author of "Ferns for American Gardens," writes, "This is one of my favorite holly ferns." We concur, 10 times that, and can't imagine why any shade gardener wouldn't plant these en masse.