A small genus of large Ferns that are native to North America. They prefer partial to full shade however may grow in sun if on very moist sites. They require moist to wet, neutral to acidic, humus-rich soil. Deer resistant. Insect pests and disease are rare, rust may occur on the foliage but not very often. Propagation is from seed or division done during fall.
Osmunda cinnamomea ( Cinnamon Fern )
A fast growing, very large, deciduous Fern, with clumps reaching a maximum size of 6 x 13 feet. It is native to swamps in North America, from Minnesota to Newfoundland; south to New Mexico to Florida.
The upright fronds, up to 6 x 1 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, are white woolly at first, turning to deep green. In autumn the fronds become cinnamon-brown in color. This Fern is one of the first to emerge new fronds in spring.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist to wet, fertile, acidic soil. It is soil tolerant but grows most vigorously on wet soil. It can tolerate some lime and some sun.
* photos taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
Osmunda claytonii ( Interrupted Fern )
A stately, deciduous Fern, very similar to the Cinnamon Fern, that reaches a maximum size of 6 x 13 feet. It is native to moist woods of northern Asia and also North America from Manitoba to Newfoundland; south to Arkansas to Georgia.
The fronds, up to 36 x 18 inches, are woolly white at first, turning deep green and leathery.
It is one of the first Ferns to emerge during spring.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade.
* photo taken on May 1 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum
Osmunda japonica
A deciduous fern that is native to moist woods of the Himalayas, Sakhalin, China, Korea and Japan, south into southeast Asia.
The fronds, up to 40 x 20 ( rarely over 20 x 16 ) inches, are bright green, turning to bright golden-yellow in fall.
Hardy zones 5 to 10
* photo taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on May 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
Osmunda regalis ( Royal Fern )
A huge, prehistoric-looking, deciduous Fern that can form a massive clump up to 6 x 13 feet, sometimes as much as 13 feet in height on ideal sites.
It is among the most widespread of all plants worldwide; it is native to North America from Manitoba to Newfoundland and south, as well as in northern Eurasia.
It looks great planted next to water or massed in a woodland understory.
The huge graceful fronds are coppery at first, turning to luxuriant deep green, turning intense butter-yellow in autumn. Royal Ferns of Eurasian origin remain green very late in autumn, often until hard freezing weather though often lacking in autumn color. The tall fronds are divided into narrow oblong leaflets, resembling Robinia- Black Locust in appearance.
Many botanists divide the Royal Fern into Osmunda regalis var spectabilis ( North American Royal Fern ) and Osmunda regalis var regalis ( European Royal Fern ).
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist to wet, fertile, acidic soil. It is tolerant of alkaline soil and also full sun if planted on a wet site.
* photos taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour
* photo taken on Sep 14 2012 in Baltimore Co., MD
* photo taken on May 19 2013 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 17 2013 in Columbia, MD
Cristata
Similar except lower growing, only reaching up to 4 feet in height, with fronds that have crested segment tips.
Purpurascens ( Purple-Stemmed Royal Fern )
A tall growing form, reaching up to 10 feet in height with foliage that is purplish-red at first, turning to blue-green. The stems that remain purple all season.
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