There is so much genetic variation in Boston ferns, and plants are more tenacious than we usually give them credit for that it should remain under consideration. Once it dies back to the ground, snow or ice is irrelevant in and of itself and can serve to moderate the temperature of the soil below. One of the nation's major fern growers, Casa Flora, is just off I-45, 4 or 5 miles south of downtown Dallas. If you stop by you might get lucky and encounter someone who would ID it for you, Many professionals delight in sharing their knowledge with "the masses".
