Overwintering guide
How to overwinter butterfield holly fern
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills butterfield holly fern in winter
Cutting butterfield holly fern hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More butterfield holly fern care
- Overwintering holly fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full butterfield holly fern care guide
- Butterfield Holly Fern temperature range
- How often to water butterfield holly fern
- How to prune butterfield holly fern
- Common butterfield holly fern problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering butterfield holly fern — FAQ
Does butterfield holly fern need to come indoors for winter?
Butterfield Holly Fern is hardy to roughly USDA zone 6 — winter lows around -23°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Butterfield Holly Fern is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move butterfield holly fern for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water butterfield holly fern in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills butterfield holly fern over winter?
Cutting butterfield holly fern hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.