Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens'

RHS Plant Profile
royal fern 'Purpurascens'

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Synonyms

Osmunda grandiceps 'Purpurascens'

Ferns
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Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens' displays magnificent red / purple new fronds which gradually revert to green through the season. The red / purple colour persists on the stems. Erect bipinnate fronds often showing smaller finer divided leaflets and wider spaced pinnules than displayed on O. regalis.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–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)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Osmundaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in moist soils in partial shade. For more information see our advice page how to grow ferns.

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds can be removed as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free