Description

Common Name: royal fern

Type: Fern

Family: Osmundaceae

Native Range: Cosmopolitan

Zone: 3 to 9

Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

Bloom Time: Non-flowering

Bloom Description: Non-flowering

Sun: Part shade to full shade

Water: Medium to wet

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden

Tolerate: Rabbit, Heavy Shade, Wet Soil

Garden locations

Culture

Easily grown in medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, rich, humusy, acidic soils, but adapts to lesser conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Royal fern is a tall, deciduous, Missouri native fern which usually occurs on moist bluffs and ledges and along streams (sometimes growing in the water), primarily in the southeastern Ozark region of the State. Typically grows in clumps to 2-3′ tall, but with constant moisture can reach 6′ in height. Broad fronds have large, well-separated pinnae (leaflets) which give this fern an almost pea-family appearance. Fronds typically turn yellow to brown in autumn. Spores are located in brown, tassel-like, fertile clusters at the tips of the fronds, thus giving rise to the additional common name of flowering fern for this plant. Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the fibrous roots of these ferns.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Excellent selection for wet areas along ponds, streams, water gardens or in bogs. Also grows well in shaded borders, woodland gardens, wild gardens or native plant gardens.