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Cinnamon Fern {1-Gallon pot}
30 customer reviews
Osmunda cinnamomea (AKA O. bipinnata, O. imbricata, Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, Anemia bipinnata, 'glandulosa', Cinnamon Brake, Buckhorn Brake)
Pronunciation: oz-MUN-dah sin-ah-MOH-mee-ah
Product: 201958
Shipping description: This product cannot be shipped to ID, and cannot be shipped from early May to early October to AZ, CA, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA.
NOTE: Shipments to AZ, CA, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA require 7-10 days to prepare the required paperwork.

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Content note — AI-assisted: Some images, descriptions, and specs on this page may have been generated with AI and might not be perfect. If you’re new to this plant, please check verified photos [here] and feel free to contact us with questions.
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See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
Osmunda cinnamomea, commonly called Cinnamon Fern, is a perennial nicknamed for the cinnamon-shaded fertile fronds that emerge from her center in spring.

First, though, edible fiddleheads surface from the center of a symmetric clump and stretch out into large, erect, pinnate-compounded, lemony-green sterile fronds stretching 2-4 feet long. In autumn, these fade to yellow then turn a topaz-brown before dying back in winter. Then, the fertile fronds emerge from the fern's center standing above the vase-like cluster of sterile fronds. At first green, they soon turn the spicy cinnamon shade for which she is famous, resulting in wonderful explosions of color.

Fertile fronds are covered with abundant masses of brownish sporangia that die back after shedding their spores in late summer. All of this ultimately results in wonderful texture and visual interest amidst any garden.

Cinnamon ferns yield delightful beauty as borders, or because they actually require moist soil, as edgings for ponds and streams. Grown in mass, their rusty-hued fronds create a feeling of flames in springtime, and as an accent, a clump of Cinnamon fern adds a lush, tropical feeling, particularly in shaded areas.

Winter dormant, these ferns have a slow to moderate growth rate, are some of the few groundcovers that will grow under walnut trees and deter deer, attributes for which they are prized. Ultimately, the Cinnamon Fern is an extra hardy, highly versatile, moisture loving perennial that offers constant growth interest as well as shimmering shades of shifting colors.

Things to Note
This plant is available for 20% off when purchased with Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum').

Interesting Facts
Edible fiddleheads are considered a delicacy and have been named Vermont's state vegetable. Try cooking these delightful vegetables by simply harvesting when about two inches from the ground and still tightly rolled. Treat them as you would asparagus or try them in quiches and soups. Delicious!


The latent buds of the Cinnamon Fern rival chestnuts in size and flavor!

Fronds can be killed by fire, but they re-sprout from rhizomes. Because of this, Cinnamon Ferns have good fire tolerance, often showing vigorous rhizome growth after the fact.

Gardener Tips
If you have a water feature, you will want to strongly consider this fern as one of its most stunning applications is planted by a pond where its reflection, in vivid green, is breathtaking.

Please read about bare root plants (especially the paragraph about bare root grasses) so you know what to expect.
See other plants that go well with this plant.
General information about Ferns:
When gardeners and landscape designers are looking for a dramatic, vibrant spray of color and foliage, they will often consider ferns for their project. In addition to sweeping texture and lush greenery, ferns work wonderfully as independent or companion perennials.

Perfect in mass plantings where they create the feeling of a field of grass swaying gently in soft breezes, ferns are also delightful as borders where they stand like shapely chartreuse soldiers at the edges of garden beds. Then again, when used as accents, in single plantings, or clusters amidst a rock garden, you have a moving work of willowy art.

But what to choose? You’ll be pleased to know that after more than 40 years of experimenting with various ferns, we have compiled a selection of the easiest to grow and hardiest ferns. Essentially, we’ve narrowed the list down for you, so you can select from our varieties with confidence. A bonus with our ferns is that all, except Japanese Painted Fern and Japanese Shield Fern are native to the United States.

Our ferns generally thrive in part shade and full shade. Have a full sun location? Southern Shield Fern even tolerates full sun! You will love the hardiness of our ferns as all of them are tolerant of drought and most are rarely eaten by deer.

Selections like Christmas Fern are wonderful erosion control options. With some ferns being evergreen and some semi-evergreen, you are sure to find the option that works wonderfully for your garden. Be sure to check each plant's Description tab for details.

Special note when planting bare root ferns in hot weather: If you plant bare root ferns during hot weather it is common for the foliage to die off. Do not fret, as long as you keep them moist they will grow back foliage. Depending on the severity of the heat it might not be until after summer ends.

See all ferns
Specifications
Shipping
No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.
FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know hpw to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- When We Ship
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- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- Changing Your Shipping Date
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Care
Performs best in well-drained (but moist) soil with added organic compost or peat moss. Best not to allow soil to dry out.
Over winter, it is best to leave the dead fronds as crown protection.
Ferns have delicate foliage that often suffers during shipment and transplanting. Cut off any foliage that is broken, bent, brown or yellow - the plants will quickly recuperate with fresh growth. Bare root ferns are particularly prone to foliage loss, it is not uncommon to have to cut them off at ground level when transplanting. As long as the roots are firm they will recover, often showing new growth within weeks during warm months. If transplanting bare root ferns during warm weather they might not send up foliage until summer ends or the following spring (best to transplant bare root ferns when they are dormant: late fall to early spring).
General information that applies to all plants:
- Ground preparation, fertilization, pH
- Planting instructions
- Explanation and description of bare roots
- How to plant bare root plants
- If you cannot plant bare roots right away

Reviews
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Beautiful Ferns
05/14/2025 By Nicole Bloor (MA)
Product reviewed: Cinnamon Fern {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}

Well packaged and delivered as promised. Looking happy in their new home.
Cinnamon Fern nirvana
03/26/2023 By Belinda Thompson (NC)
Product reviewed: Cinnamon Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 10}

These are filling in nicely. Love these under my Japanese Maple.
Purchased bare root plants
07/06/2020 By Gloria Eby (AR)
Product reviewed: Cinnamon Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 10}

The bare root ferns arrived when expected and in excellent shape. I unpacked the plants but was unable to plant them until the next morning. After two days, fidleheads are beginning to show through the soil on most plants. Am excited to see how they will... Read full review >
Fern
06/24/2020 By Susan Warner (TN)
Product reviewed: Cinnamon Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 10}

Received cinnamon fern in a timely and moist package, ready for planting. All looked good and healthy!
Cinnamon ferns
06/17/2020 By Katherine Wong (MD)
Product reviewed: Cinnamon Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

The ferns look great two weeks after planting!
We now primarily use Google Customer Reviews.
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