Asplenium platyneuron

RHS Plant Profile
ebony spleenwort

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Synonyms

Asplenium ebeneum
Acrostichum platyneuron

Ferns Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, evergreen fern with strongly upright fronds surrounded by shorter arching or recumbent fronds. The leaftets or pinnae resemble tiny wings and are arranged alternately along the stem or rachis

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Aspleniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Asplenium are evergreen ferns with short, usually erect rhizomes bearing a rosette of slightly leathery fronds which may be simple, pinnate to 3-pinnate
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in a free-draining but moisture retentive soil in partial shade. This fern is a good choice for estabilshing in gaps in walls or on slightly shady rockeries. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wall side borders
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free