About
Osmunda japonica, the Asian royal fern, is a deciduous fern with an erect or shortly creeping rhizome producing a clump of green fronds each up to 150 cm tall and 50 cm wide. The spore-bearing, fertile fronds are more upright and of a bronze hue. An elegant and architectural fern for a moist, shaded, woodland border.
About the genus
Osmunda are medium-sized to large deciduous ferns from wet habitats with erect or arching, pinnate or bipinnate fronds bearing spores either on modified pinnae or on separate, smaller fronds. Excellent ferns for moist, shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Clay
Soil pHNeutral, Acid
Soil moisturePoorly-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toPakistan to Japan
Care notes
CultivationSucceeds in most moist soils, preferring acid conditions and requires a constant supply of water, doing well by ponds, lakes or streams. Plants will tolerate sun so long as there is no shortage of moisture in the soil.
PruningRemove any dying fronds if required.
PropagationPropagate by division or spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free