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Osmunda cinnamomea

cinnamon fern

A deciduous fern forming rosettes of erect, light blue-green, lance-shaped, bipinnate sterile fronds surrounding shorter, cinnamon-brown fertile fronds

Other common names
buckhorn
fiddleheads
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Brown
Autumn Green Brown
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Osmundaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Osmunda are medium-sized to large deciduous ferns, usually from wet places, with erect or arching, pinnate or bipinnate fronds, bearing spores either on modified pinnae or on separate, smaller fronds

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Trop. America & SE Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, fertile, humus-rich slightly acidic soil in light dappled shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing spores at 15-16°C (59-61°F). These need to be sown with in three days of ripening as they loose their viability very quickly. Alternatively, divide well established colonies into clumps in either autumn or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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