Intermediate
skill rating
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Osmunda regalis (Royal fern)
2 hours care
per year
per year
2.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Osmunda regalis
Other names
Royal fern, Rusty fern, Water fern, Osmund royal, King fern, Common flowering fern, Ditch fern, Buckhorn brake, Blooming fern, Herb christopher
Genus
Osmunda Osmunda
Species
O. regalis - O. regalis is a hardy fern, forming a large clump of bipinnate fronds with russet-brown spores at the tips. The fronds are flushed red in autumn.
Osmunda regalis is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Arching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in Summer; Flushed red, Brown in Autumn
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
Osmunda regalis (Royal fern) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only, Roof terrace, Bog garden
Cultivation
Plant in most cool, moist, light shade. This plant will also grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Prefers acid or neutral soils, but will tolerate alkaline soils by adding lots of fibrous compost first. Can also tolerate very wet sites.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
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
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Osmunda regalis
Other names
Royal fern, Rusty fern, Water fern, Osmund royal, King fern, Common flowering fern, Ditch fern, Buckhorn brake, Blooming fern, Herb christopher
Genus
Osmunda Osmunda
Species
O. regalis - O. regalis is a hardy fern, forming a large clump of bipinnate fronds with russet-brown spores at the tips. The fronds are flushed red in autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Arching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in Summer; Flushed red, Brown in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Osmunda regalis (Royal fern) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only, Roof terrace, Bog garden
Cultivation
Plant in most cool, moist, light shade. This plant will also grow in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Prefers acid or neutral soils, but will tolerate alkaline soils by adding lots of fibrous compost first. Can also tolerate very wet sites.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
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 9, 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 | 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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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Osmunda regalis
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There are 5 active discussions about Osmunda regalis (Royal fern)
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