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Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'

sword fern 'Bostoniensis'

AGM plants

AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:

  • Excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions
  • Available to buy
  • Of good constitution
  • Essentially stable in form & colour
  • Reasonably resistant to pests & diseases
Sold by 2 nurseries

  • Other common names sword fern 'Bostoniensis'

  • Family Lomariopsidaceae

  • Genus Nephrolepis are rhizomatous, sometimes stoloniferous, evergreen ferns with narrow, pinnately divided fronds, broader and more highly dissected in many cultivars

  • Details 'Bostoniensis' is an evergreen, frost-tender fern with an upright, spreading habit growing to 90cm tall and wide. The broadly lance-shaped, pinnate fronds grow upright initially before arching and then drooping with age

Characteristics

  • Foliage Evergreen

  • Habit Bushy

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H1B

Colour

Sunlight

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained

  • SoilLoam, Sand

  • pHAcid, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.5-1 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.5-1 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow indoors or under glass in a multipurpose compost or a mix of 1 part loam, 2 parts sharp sand, and 3 parts leaf mould, in bright filtered light, with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation. During the growing season, water moderately with soft water and apply a half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Fronds can rot if they become too wet

Propagation Propagate by spores, sow spores at 21°C as soon as ripe; resulting plants may not come true. Separate rooted runners in late winter or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning Remove any dead fronds

Pests Can suffer from scale insects

Diseases May be subject to rot if fronds become too wet

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