Blechnum gibbum

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miniature tree fern

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miniature tree fern RHS
miniature tree fern RHS
miniature tree fern RHS

Synonyms

Oceaniopteris gibba

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Conservatory Greenhouse Ferns
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An evergreen fern with upright, trunk-like rhizomes and deeply-lobed, bright green fronds usually to about 1m but can reach 2m

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–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)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Blechnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Blechnum are mostly evergreen ferns with erect or creeping rhizomes and simply pinnate, leathery fronds, the fertile ones usually erect, the sterile often spreading
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Fiji

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown under glass in frost-free conditions in a neutral to acid loam compost with bright filtered or indirect light, a humid atmosphere and good ventilation. Outdoors, for warmer UK counties only, grow in a very sheltered position in moist, humus-rich neutral to acid soil in full to part shade

Propagation

Propagate by spores in summer or propagate by division but may take some time to re-establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical

Pruning

Tidy if necessary, removing older fronds

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free