Ferns

Cinnamon Fern This fern is used in container plantings, rock gardens, borders, specimen plants and as ground cover. The common name of Cinnamon ferns is in reference to the cinnamon colored fibers found near the fronds base. Osumunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the roots of these ferns. The yellowish-green sterile fronds remain attractive throughout the summer and turn yellow in autumn. The Cinnamon Fern, Osmunda cinnamonea, occurs in moist, boggy ground along streams and on shaded ledges and grows in clumps to 2'-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 5' in height. Cinnamon ferns do not have flowers or blooms. When new fronds appear, they have a cinnamon color.

Christmas Fern These plants serve as hosts for butterfly larvae. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and has a moderately dense crown. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds.

Cinnamon Fern When new fronds appear, they have a cinnamon color. The yellowish-green sterile fronds remain attractive throughout the summer and turn yellow in autumn. Osumunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the roots of these ferns. This fern is used in container plantings, rock gardens, borders, specimen plants and as ground cover. Cinnamon ferns do not have flowers or blooms. This plant tolerates flooding and will grow in wet submerged soils.

Royal Fern The Royal Fern, Osmunda regalis, is a tall, deciduous fern which usually occurs on moist bluffs and ledges and along streams (sometimes growing in the water). Royal Ferns typically grows in clumps to 2-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 6' in height. The broad fronds have large, well-separated pinnae (leaflets) which give this fern an almost pea-family appearance. Fronds typically turn yellow to brown in autumn. The Royal Fern is also known as the Flowering Fern and is deciduous. The Royal Fern is an excellent selection for wet areas along ponds, streams, water gardens or in bogs.