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 first time I've used the company and we received 28 root bundles packaged well. At one week all but 3 have fronds growing. Some almost a foot tall. I've recommended the company to a friend who is also growing a Japanese garden. It's a great bargain.
Beautiful healthy rhizomes delivered. Sprouted the first year and 2nd year a bit larger. Now on the third year I am noticing lateral spreading and the plants are giving much more visual impact from afar. I love them! A few died; ones I planted in an area... Read full review >
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).
You need to add more than one product to do a comparison
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE DISCOUNTS?
Your privacy is important to us, we will not send you any unnecessary email.
If you wish to be advised of our sales (2-4 times per year),
join our mail list.
See when we will ship your order.
Read reviews of us collected by Google
Bare roots plants are shipped without soil or pots, they are smaller than potted versions and must planted within a few days after delivery - click for details.
Add this plant to your list of Saved Items, which you can see using the tab on the bottom navigation bar
Add this plant to your list of Compare Items, which you can see using the tab on the bottom navigation bar
Bare roots plants are shipped without soil or pots, they are smaller than potted versions and must planted within a few days after delivery - click for details.
See how many you need for your area and spacing
Read reviews for us at Google Customer Reviews
Read reviews for us at Dave's Garden, we are rated in the top 30 of the more than 7000 online gardening vendors that they rank.
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.
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See all plants that tolerate bogs, marshes, stream and pond edges, and other wet locations.
See all plants that thrive in full shade.
Loses its foliage after frost.
See all plants that grow relatively slowly.
See all plants that grow moderately fast.
See all plants that grow under walnut trees.
See all plants that deer tend to avoid (deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough).
See this discounted package.
See all plants that have edible berries or foliage.
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.
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See our Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum').
See our Japanese Shield Fern (Japanese Wood Fern, Autumn Fern, Dryopteris erythrosora).
See all plants that are native to the U.S.
See all plants that thrive in part sun, part shade.
See all plants that thrive in full shade.
See all plants that thrive in full sun.
See our Southern Shield Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana).
See all plants that tolerate drought (once established).
See all plants that deer tend to avoid (deer will eat anything if they are hungry enough).
See our Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).
See all plants that are good for controlling erosion.
See all plants with foliage that stays green all year (depending on where you are in the country).
Know your zone and choose plants that will thrive there.
Look up their phone number here, then call them with questions about your local area (such as: Will ___ grow where I am?). They can advise you more precisely than we can.
A zone at one end of this range
See zones based on heat tolerance.
See plants based on how much sunlight they prefer.
See plants based on how fast they grow.
See plants based on how tall they get.
See plants based on what they tolerate.
See plants based on what pH (the level of acidity or alkalinity) soil they survive in.
See plants based on what kinds of trees they will grow under.
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.
See all plants that are good for borders and edging.
See all plants that have edible berries or foliage.
See all plants that are native to the U.S.
Please contribute your review and help others in the community make an informed decision.
Click to see how long your plants will spend in transit (at most 3 days)
You can indicate your desired ship date in the Comments box near the shipping address when you checkout (click for details)
See when your order will ship if you do not choose a specific date
Lookup how long your plants will be in transit tp your zip code
See when your order will ship if you do not choose a specific date
You can indicate your desired ship date in the Comments box near the shipping address when you checkout (click for details)
Display the invoice, shipping and tracking information for an order
Please do not include any special delivery instructions when you place your order, we have no way to pass them to your UPS delivery driver. Click this link for a note you can leave on your door that can communicate instructions and might prevent problems that result in your plants arriving is less than perfect shape.
Click to see why we cannot ship to these states or other countries
Information about when it is possible to change your shipping date and how to do it
We do not require a signature for delivery, but that does not guarantee that UPS will leave your package, click for details
It is important to unpack your shipment promptly and check moisture, click for details
Due to the perishable nature of plants, we cannot accept any returns
Proper ground preparation and fertilization will improve the growing environment and performance of your plants, testing pH is also a good idea (click for details)
A good planting strategy will make your job easier and produce excellent results
Bare root plants are plants that are shipped with the soil removed: they must be planted soon after delivery (click for more information)
Article describing how to plant bare root plants (the same basic strategy works for all plants)
Information on the best way to store bare roots if you cannot plant them right away
(0)
Part sun 
Shade
