Osmunda regalis
Royal fern, Ditch fern, Locust fern, Snake fern
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 1m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a beautiful waterside fern that forms an elegant clump. It is attractive in spring when the foliage is unfurling. Beautiful fresh luxuriant foliage follows and then, when fully fledged, the clumps send up brown flower spikes. Finally in autumn, come rich yellow and copper tints. This fern does well in sunshine as long as it has water within reach of its roots. This looks sumptuous when mass planted, as at Scotney Castle in Kent, with soft, green foliage that makes round shapes in its season.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow-copper
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Deer resistant
- Deer
- May be damaged by deer when very young
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.