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Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's tongue fern)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Asplenium scolopendrium
Other names
Hart's tongue fern, Christ's hair, Horse tongue, Burnt weed, Buttonhole, Christ's hair, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Scolopendrium vulgare
Genus
Asplenium Asplenium
Species
A. scolopendrium - A. scolopendrium is a rosette-forming, evergreen fern bearing upright to arching, strap-shaped, leathery, bright green fronds with wavy margins. Spores are borne underneath the fronds in stripes across the leaf.
Asplenium scolopendrium is: Evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Sometimes affected by rust in damp winters.
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds should be removed.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's tongue fern) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist, but well-drained soil. Bright mid-day sun can cause damage, and can be sensitive to fungicides. Is able to handle dry shade but water regularly during the first season and mulch well.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Hart's tongue ferns contrast well with more feathery ferns, that toleratedry shade.
Botanical name
Asplenium scolopendrium
Other names
Hart's tongue fern, Christ's hair, Horse tongue, Burnt weed, Buttonhole, Christ's hair, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Scolopendrium vulgare
Genus
Asplenium Asplenium
Species
A. scolopendrium - A. scolopendrium is a rosette-forming, evergreen fern bearing upright to arching, strap-shaped, leathery, bright green fronds with wavy margins. Spores are borne underneath the fronds in stripes across the leaf.
Native to
Europe, Western Asia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Sometimes affected by rust in damp winters.
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds should be removed.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's tongue fern) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist, but well-drained soil. Bright mid-day sun can cause damage, and can be sensitive to fungicides. Is able to handle dry shade but water regularly during the first season and mulch well.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Hart's tongue ferns contrast well with more feathery ferns, that toleratedry shade.
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
asplenium scolopendrium
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There are 5 active discussions about Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart's tongue fern)
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