Overview
Blechnum penna-marina is a matforming ferns in the genus Blechnum, part of the Blechnaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Blechnum penna-marina grows best in full shade and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and patio and container plants. It is native to South America, Australia and New Zealand.
About
Blechnum penna-marina is a perennial fern that creates a low mat of dark green, simply pinnate fronds reaching up to 15 cm long. It features narrower, upright fertile fronds, with new growth often exhibiting a reddish hue.
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
Best soil and position for Blechnum
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Blechnum penna-marina size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Ferns
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- South America, Australia, New Zealand
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Blechnum penna-marina
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites. See how to grow ferns for further advice
- Pruning
- Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing spores (may not come true) in mid to late summer or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free outdoors
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free outdoors
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Blechnum penna-marina?
Easy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites. See how to grow ferns for further advice.
Where is the best place to plant Blechnum penna-marina?
Blechnum penna-marina prefers full shade and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Blechnum penna-marina need?
Blechnum penna-marina grows best in loam and sand soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to poorly-drained.
How do I prune Blechnum penna-marina?
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
How big does Blechnum penna-marina grow?
Blechnum penna-marina reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 5-10 years to reach full size.
Is Blechnum penna-marina hardy in the UK?
Blechnum penna-marina has a UK hardiness rating of H4.
How do I propagate Blechnum penna-marina?
Propagate by sowing spores (may not come true) in mid to late summer or by division in spring.