Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: royal fern
Type: Fern
Family: Osmundaceae
Zone: 3 to 9
Native Range: North and South America
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden, Suzanne Stagg Wright Rock Garden
Height: 2 to 3 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Color: 
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Tolerates: Wet Soil, Dense Shade, Rabbits
Uses: Rain Garden, Will Naturalize

Culture

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

Noteworthy Characteristics

Royal fern is a tall, deciduous fern which typically grows in clumps to 2-3' tall, but with consistent moisture in optimum growing conditions 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. Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis is a Missouri native which usually occurs on moist bluffs and ledges and along streams (sometimes growing in shallow water), primarily in the southeastern Ozark region of the State. Osmunda regalis var. regalis is native to Europe and Asia and often grows taller with larger fronds than O. r. var. spectabilis.

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.

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