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.
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.
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.
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.
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 >
I was wary of ordering bare root fern. They came packed as perfectly as a dozen roses. The plants were undamaged and are doing well. I will be ordering more as soon as I can clear the remains of the bed.
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).
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This link shows you photographs comparing potted and bare root plants for some of our most popular plants. It will improve your understanding of what to expect from the various sizes.
See all plants that have edible berries or foliage.
Forms a mound while growing out from the center, maintaining a compact shape.
Once-divided leaf blades having leaflets arranged on both sides of a rachis (a stem bearing flower stalks at short intervals).
The enclosure in which spores - the fern's reproductive mechanism - are formed.
The ferns reproductive mechanism, grown on the underside of the fronds.
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Loses its foliage after frost.
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Rhizomes are root-like stems that may either grow horizontally at the soil surface or in other orientations underground.
See all plants that resist and tend to survive burning. There is no such thing as a fireproof plant, any plant will burn if it is dry enough and the fire is slow enough and hot enough.
Bare roots are plants that are shipped without soil or pots, they are smaller than potted versions - click for details.
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See our Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum').
See our Japanese Shield Fern (Japanese Wood Fern, Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora).
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See our Southern Shield Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana).
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See our Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).
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Conifers are gymnosperms, woody cone-bearing trees and shrubs. Examples of the 600+ conifers include cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews.
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