Our collection (A1C-029) of the tropical ribbon fern, Pteris cretica var. nervosa, was made in 1996 at 9,000' elevation in the Western Hills region of Yunnan, China. For us this selection has proved to be amazingly winter hardy (no damage at 9 degrees F) compared to all other forms in the US that die at much higher temperatures. In 5 years, this vigorous grower has made a 5' wide x 3' tall, deciduous clump of light green leaves that resemble very long fingers. In early fall, the fertile fronds arise like an upright flagpole from the center of the clump...simply superb!
