About
Paesia scaberula, lace fern, is a deciduous fern with creeping rhizomes producing lacy, pale yellow-green fronds to 1 m long with a characteristic zigzag structure to the midrib and fine, reddish hairs. The slightly leathery, faintly aromatic fronds bear sori along their undersides, protected by inrolled leaf edges. An ornamental and rewarding fern for a sheltered, moist garden or greenhouse.
About the genus
Paesia are deciduous ferns with creeping rhizomes and lacy, aromatic fronds. Grown in sheltered, moist garden and greenhouse conditions.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationThrives in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in light or dappled shade; may not be hardy in colder areas so provide a winter mulch or move container-grown plants inside. See how to grow ferns for further advice
PruningRemove dead or damaged fronds as needed
PropagationPropagate by division or from spores
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free