Climate

• Holly ferns are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10. Temperatures below 14 degrees Fahrenheit may damage or kill the fern. Holly ferns are evergreen in most zones but often need an early spring "haircut" to remove brown or dead fronds before new growth appears.
  
  

Conditons

• Holly fern leaflets are thicker than many other ferns. Combined with the leaflet's glossy, waxy coating, the sturdy structure allows holly ferns to survive heat, winds and limited drought. They are a forgiving fern but prefer rich, well-drained and moist soil in partial shade.
  
  

Location

• The holly fern's rough texture and shiny leaves contrast well with broad-leaved hosta. Alternatively, perennials that bloom in shade, like impatiens, pop against the fern's emerald background. Holly ferns seldom need division and grow up to 3 feet tall and as wide, making them an ideal choice under large, limbed-up shrubs or small trees as a showy, low-maintenance planting.