Asparagus setaceus, commonly called asparagus fern, is not in fact a fern. It is a bushy, evergreen, twining vine with wiry, spiny, scrambling or climbing stems that typically grow to 10-20′ long. It features feathery, fern-like flattened sprays of bright green stems, small white summer flowers and deep purple berries. The true leaves of this plant are tiny dry scales. The structures which appear to be leaves are flattened shoots (modified stems) called cladodes or cladophylls on which the flowers and fruits are borne. Asparagus ferns are easy-to-care-for plants that grow as houseplants and in shady gardens. Asparagus ferns perform best in organically rich, well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant once they’re established in the garden, the plants should be kept evenly moist.