If you seek life-size versions of feathery green foliage, the Royal Fern will suit you perfectly. It is the largest and most spectacular North American fern. Massive in size, its sterile fronds can reach from 2-5 feet in height and stretch up to 1 1/2 feet broad.
The sterile fronds are
bipinnate with 7-9 pairs of
pinnae up to 12 inches long. Each pinnae has 7-13 pairs of 1-2 1/2 inch long and 1/2-3/4 inch broad
pinnules.
Uniquely, this fern offers both a sterile and fertile frond. Unlike most ferns, the fertile fronds are produced in early autumn and are erect and shorter (8-20 inches tall) than their counterparts with around 2-3 pairs of sterile pinnae at their base, and 7-14 pairs of densely clustered
sporangia above.
This species is an ideal accent plant for landscaping due to its longevity, large size, and distinctly different (sterile and fertile) components offering constant and ever-changing visual and textural elements. When mature, the Royal Fern features lovely rust-colored flower spikes and hairless leaves, though when the fronds are young, they are quite hairy as they emerge.
Broad, oblong-shaped leaflets divide its bright-green fronds. This semi-evergreen,
herbaceous plant not only requires, but loves
moist soil, and when planted near water (including rivers and stream-banks where running water continually covers their
rhizomes), they have the ability to grow into incredibly large colonies.
While
native to woodland and forest, they generally prefer fairly high light intensity. They are winter
dormant in northern zones, have a
slow to
moderate growth rate, and are composed of symmetric
clumps. Given their size, Royal Ferns have a massive,
creeping rhizome with a rootstock that can protrude several centimeters above the ground, somewhat similar to a short trunk covered with leaf sheaths and roots.
Royal Ferns offer a constantly changing perennial with fanning, fresh foliage in man-size portions and rich rusty flower spikes. It's no wonder this fern is called Royal; in truth, it is quite majestic to behold.
Gardener Tips A perfect application for this fern is a woodland area near a stream where you'd like lush green color to contrast the grey bark of neighboring trees. Over time you'll create a forest of ferns standing guard over your stream.
If you are considering purchasing this plant in bare root form, please read about bare root plants so you know what to expect. 
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