Blechnum spicant
Deer Fern, Hard Fern
- Main interest:
- low maintenance, long lasting green foliage
- Exposure:
- partial to full shade
- Soil humidity:
- moist soil
- Growth type:
- slow running
- Fragrance:
- Non-fragrant
- Flowering period:
- non-flowering
- Foliage:
- green
- USDA Hardiness:
- zone 5a: -29 °C (-20 °F) View Zone Map
- Mature height & width (max.):
- height: 1.5 ft (0.45 m) width: 2 ft (0.6 m)
- Use:
- border, ground cover, rock gardens, naturalizing
The Deer Fern or Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant) has two frond types making it particularly distinctive. Evergreen Sterile Fronds (to 8-24” long) are stiff, leathery, and dark green, and form a loose outward-spreading, flattened rosette. The fertile fronds grow erect, from the centre, and are much narrower. These two frond types give this deep shade loving fern unique interest with leaves spreading flat as groundcover as well as upright from the centre creating height. Add texture to your shade garden or under trees.
Please use availability information as a guide only. The weather is a fickle thing, and impacts when our plants are actually available for shipping. Please be aware that we are not answering emails regarding plants availability. The best advice we can give you is to check back once in a while, choose a size option and check the current stock.
Synonym(s): Struthiopteris spicant, Osmunda spicant