About

Botrychium lunaria is a fern native to Britain, predominantly located in the northern and western regions. It features a solitary, leathery frond that can reach lengths of up to 20 cm, characterized by its fan-shaped lobes. In summer, it develops a branched spike that bears small, round sporangia, which contain the spores.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Partial shade
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Ferns
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0-0.1 metre
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Rock garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Found naturally in a range of dryish habitats including grassland, sand dunes, rock ledges and slag heaps. Needs well-drained soil, ideally in semi-shade
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by spores
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free