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Blechnum spicant (Hard 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
Blechnum spicant
Other names
Hard fern, Rusty back, Snake fern, Deer fern
Genus
Blechnum Blechnum
Species
B. spicant - B. spicant is a small evergreen fern with spreading, narrow, dark-green fronds bearing comb-like leaves.
Blechnum spicant is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
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Where to grow
Blechnum spicant (Hard fern) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites and will grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their 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
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
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
Botanical name
Blechnum spicant
Other names
Hard fern, Rusty back, Snake fern, Deer fern
Genus
Blechnum Blechnum
Species
B. spicant - B. spicant is a small evergreen fern with spreading, narrow, dark-green fronds bearing comb-like leaves.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Blechnum spicant (Hard fern) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most cool, moist, lightly shaded sites and will grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their 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
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
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 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
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: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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