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Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)

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

AGM Award
Osmunda Regalis,Royal Fern, Blooming Fern, Bog Onion, Buckhorn Brake, Common Flowering Fern, Ditch Fern, Kidney Fern, King Fern, Osmund Royal, Royal Osmund Fern, Rusty Fern, Water Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils
Osmunda Regalis,Royal Fern, Blooming Fern, Bog Onion, Buckhorn Brake, Common Flowering Fern, Ditch Fern,  Kidney Fern, King Fern, Osmund Royal, Royal Osmund Fern, Rusty Fern, Water Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils
Osmunda Regalis,Royal Fern, Blooming Fern, Bog Onion, Buckhorn Brake, Common Flowering Fern, Ditch Fern,  Kidney Fern, King Fern, Osmund Royal, Royal Osmund Fern, Rusty Fern, Water Fern, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soils

Noted for its unique form and texture, Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern or Flowering Fern) is a tall, robust, deciduous fern forming a large rosette of elegant, broadly divided, bright green fronds. Emerging pinkish 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 turns attractive shades of red-brown in fall, adding visual interest in the garden. Low maintenance, pest and disease free, Royal Fern is a great asset for very wet sites!

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Clump-forming, it easily grows up to 6 ft. tall (180 cm) and 3 ft. wide (90 cm).
  • A part to full shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, humus-richconsistently 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, borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, woodlands , bog gardens, rain gardens, or along streams, ponds or water gardens.
  • Rabbit, deer, clay & 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 3 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Osmundaceae
Genus Osmunda
Common names Royal Fern, Fern
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 6'
(60cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
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 Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Osmunda regalis ‘Purpurascens'(Royal Fern)
Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted Fern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rhododendron ‘Golden Lights’
Primula pulverulenta (Candelabra Primrose)
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)
Calopogon tuberosus (Grass Pink)
Populus tremuloides (American Aspen)
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)
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 3 - 10
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Osmundaceae
Genus Osmunda
Common names Royal Fern, Fern
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 6'
(60cm - 180cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
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 Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Osmunda to pick?
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