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Osmunda regalis ‘Purpurascens'(Royal Fern)

Royal Fern 'Purpurascens', Blooming Fern 'Purpurascens', Bog Onion 'Purpurascens', Buckhorn Brake 'Purpurascens', Common Flowering Fern 'Purpurascens', Ditch Fern 'Purpurascens', Kidney Fern 'Purpurascens', King Fern 'Purpurascens', Osmund Royal 'Purpurascens', Royal Osmund Fern 'Purpurascens', Rusty Fern 'Purpurascens', Water Fern 'Purpurascens'

Osmunda Regalis 'Purpurascens',Royal Fern 'Purpurascens', Blooming Fern 'Purpurascens', Ditch Fern 'Purpurascens', Kidney Fern 'Purpurascens', King Fern 'Purpurascens', Osmund Royal 'Purpurascens'

A majestic garden fern, Osmunda regalis ‘Purpurascens’ (Royal Fern) is a tall, robust, deciduous fern of upright, vase shape habit, forming a large rosette of elegant, broadly divided fronds. Emerging reddish-purple in spring, they are crowned with rusty-brown fertile flower spikes at their tips, thus giving rise to the common name of ‘Flowering Fern’. The lovely foliage matures to bright green in summer before turning shades of gold and russet in fall, adding visual interest in the garden. Low maintenance, pest and disease free, Royal Fern is a great asset for very wet sites!

  • Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 2-4 ft. tall and wide (60-120 cm).
  • A part to full shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, humus-rich, consistently moist, well-drained soils. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Can grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Will tolerate alkaline soils if fibrous compost is added.
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, cottage gardens, woodlands, bog gardens, rain gardens or along streams, ponds or water gardens.
  • Rabbit and wet soil tolerant!
  • Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
  • Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in early spring or fall.
  • Osmunda regalis species is native to Europe, Africa, Asia and North America, growing in woodland bogs and on the banks of streams.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Osmundaceae
Genus Osmunda
Common names Fern, Royal Fern
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted Fern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rhododendron ‘Golden Lights’
Primula pulverulenta (Candelabra Primrose)
Crinum americanum (Swamp Lily)
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
Ilex cassine (Dahoon)
Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet Rose Mallow)
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (Button Bush)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Osmundaceae
Genus Osmunda
Common names Fern, Royal Fern
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Full Shade, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden, City and Courtyard, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Osmunda to pick?
Compare Now

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