About

This evergreen fern typically grows to about 1.5 meters in height and 1 meter in width. Its fronds display a slight crinkle and can be either upright or arching. New growth appears in a vivid red hue, transitioning to bronze and ultimately maturing to a glossy green. As it develops, the erect rhizome may form a slender trunk that can reach up to 30 centimeters in height.

About the genus

Blechnum consists primarily of evergreen ferns characterized by upright or spreading rhizomes. The fronds are typically simple and pinnate, with fertile fronds standing upright while the sterile ones tend to spread out.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Acid

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, North-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Ferns

Habit

Columnar upright

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

1-1.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

5-10 years

Suggested uses

Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation

Best grown under glass in frost-free conditions in a neutral to acid loam compost with bright filtered or indirect light, a humid atmosphere and good ventilation. Outdoors, for warmer counties only, grow in a very sheltered position in moist, humus-rich neutral to acid soil in full to part shade and provide winter protection

Pruning

Tidy if necessary, removing older fronds

Propagation

Propagate by spores in summer or propagate by division but may take some time to re-establish

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free