Deer Fern (Blechnum spicant) provides year-long greenery to gardens and habitat for birds, amphibians, small mammals, and insects. Deer Ferns are great for wet sites along streambanks in evergreen forests but also can thrive in shady urban or suburban gardens.
Classification: Perennial
Key Characteristics: Evergreen fern
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Water Requirements: Moist to wet soil
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow
Bloom Time: n/a
Spreads: Very slowly by rhizomes
Benefits: Wildlife, Rain garden, Beneficial insects, Wildfire resistant, Riparian zones, On Portland Plant List
Edible: No
Mature Height: 1–3 feet
Mature Width: 2 feet
