General: The deer fern is widespread in Central Europe and is particularly found in coniferous forests, as it prefers acidic and moist locations. The deer fern grows as a rosette and forms two different fronds. The spore-free fronds are evergreen, whereby the rib-like and spore-bearing leaves die off in winter.
Use: The deer fern can be used and presented very well as Shitakusa or Kusamono. Whether in a bowl, on a stone slab, a piece of bark or wood, it loosens up any bonsai collection and is also appealing on its own. The rosette-like growth and the narrow, strong leaves create a great silhouette. The deer fern prefers a partially shady to shady location and a humus-rich and acidic substrate. In any case, it should be watered with low-lime water or, best of all, rainwater.
