About
Britain's largest and most widespread native fern, with huge, finely dissected leaves 1-2m tall and 1m across. Young shoots emerge curled at the tip and are known as croziers or fiddleheads, and in autumn the deciduous fronds turn a rich russet-brown. Spreading by rhizomes, with roots up to a metre deep, it forms dense thickets, smothering most other vegetation, and can also spread by spores.
About the genus
Pteridium is a genus containing species of varied habit, from compact perennials to larger woody plants. Members are valued in horticulture for their flowers, foliage, or overall form and are found in diverse habitats worldwide
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Native topan-global
Care notes
CultivationOccurs naturally in woodland, heathland, moorland and some grasslands, and may spread into gardens bordering open country. It provides valuable cover for wildlife and is the food plant of a number of moth caterpillars, but is poisonous to livestock and likely to be too dominant for most gardens. See bracken for more information
PruningNo pruning required, though dead fronds can be cut back and composted or used as mulch
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest- free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free