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Botrychium virginianum (Rattlesnake fern)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.4m
Max height
Max height
0.4m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Botrychium virginianum
Other names
Rattlesnake fern, Botrypus virginianus
Genus
Botrychium Botrychium
Species
B. virginianum - B. virginianum is a deciduous fern with an erect stalk bearing a single, sterile, broadly triangular, pinnate, mid- to light green frond divided into ovate to lance-shaped, deeply lobed pinnae. On some plants, a second, fertile leaf is produced on a long stalk originating from the base of the sterile leaf.
Botrychium virginianum is: Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Erect
Foliage
Light green in Spring; Light green in Summer; Light green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.
Propagation
Sow spores as soon as ripe under glass. Do not allow compost to dry out.
Propagation methods
Spores
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Where to grow
Botrychium virginianum (Rattlesnake fern) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, moist but sharply-drained, acid soil in partial shade.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Botrychium virginianum
Other names
Rattlesnake fern, Botrypus virginianus
Genus
Botrychium Botrychium
Species
B. virginianum - B. virginianum is a deciduous fern with an erect stalk bearing a single, sterile, broadly triangular, pinnate, mid- to light green frond divided into ovate to lance-shaped, deeply lobed pinnae. On some plants, a second, fertile leaf is produced on a long stalk originating from the base of the sterile leaf.
Native to
Eastern Asia, North America, South America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Erect
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Colour
Foliage
Light green in Spring; Light green in Summer; Light green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.
Propagation
Sow spores as soon as ripe under glass. Do not allow compost to dry out.
Propagation methods
Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Botrychium virginianum (Rattlesnake fern) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, moist but sharply-drained, acid soil in partial shade.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
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: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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