Pteridium aquilinum
bracken
Britain's largest and most widespread native fern, with huge, finely divided leaves 1-2m tall and 1m across. Spreading by rhizomes, with roots up to a metre deep, it forms dense thickets, smothering most other vegetation, and can also spread by spores. Young shoots emerge curled at the tip and are known as croziers or fiddleheads, and in autumn the deciduous fronds turn a rich russet-brown
Other common names
adder's spitbrake fern
see moreeagle brake
eagle fern
fern of God
hog brake
pasture brake
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Brown | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Dennstaedtiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- pan-global
How to grow
Cultivation
Occurs naturally in woodland, heathland, moorland and some grasslands, and may spread into gardens bordering open country. It provides valuable cover for wildlife and is the food plant of a number of moth caterpillars, but is poisonous to livestock and likely to be too dominant for most gardens. See bracken for more information
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required, though dead fronds can be cut back and composted or used as mulch
Pests
Generally pest- free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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