Product Description
Osmunda cinnamomea (3.5-inch pot)
Common Name: Cinnamon Fern, swamp fern, cinnamon osmunda
- Family: Osmundaceae
- Zone: 2 to 10
- Height: 2 to 5 feet
- Spread: 2 to 3 feet
- Part shade to full shade
- Water: Medium to wet
- Low Maintenance
- Slow spreading by rhizomes
- Tolerates sun with constant moisture
- Tolerate: Rabbit, Heavy Shade, Wet Soil
Osmunda cinnamomea, commonly known as cinnamon fern, is a deciduous fern that is native to eastern North America. It is a member of the Osmundaceae family.
Cinnamon fern grows to a height of 2-5 feet and has large, lacy-like feathery fronds that are up to 6 feet long. Fronds emerge bright green from the center of clumps in spring and summer and turn a deep cinnamon color in autumn. Cinnamon Fern spreads slowly by rhizomes and grows in vase shaped clumps.
Cinnamon ferns prefer moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Not particularly drought tolerant. Cinnamon fern thrives in rich, moist (not soggy) soil, reaching 5' overtime; in average conditions it will grow 2'-3' tall. Cinnamon fern does not need a lot of fertilizer, light application of fertilizer in the spring will suffice.
Bright fern for the shade garden, bog gardens, woodland areas, stream and pond banks. Sun exposure in cooler climates requires consistent moisture.
Cinnamon fern is relatively pest- and disease-free and host plant for the comma butterfly.
Cinnamon fern can be propagated by division or by spores. Division is the easiest method. To divide, dig up a mature plant and separate the roots into several sections. Plant the sections in new locations.
With proper care, Osmunda cinnamomea will be a beautiful addition to your garden for many years to come.
Osmunda cinnamomea, commonly known as the Cinnamon Fern, is a beautiful and dramatic fern that adds a touch of wildness and elegance to shade gardens. Here is a breakdown of its key features:
- Appearance and Characteristics:
- Large, upright fronds: Cinnamon Ferns are known for their large, upright, vase-shaped fronds that can reach up to 5 feet tall, creating a lush, tropical feel in the garden.
- Distinct fertile fronds: In spring, separate fertile fronds emerge. These are shorter and cinnamon-brown in color, giving the fern its common name. The fertile fronds hold the spores for reproduction and add a unique visual element to the plant.
- Attractive sterile fronds: The sterile fronds are bright green, feathery, and arching, providing a beautiful backdrop for the cinnamon-colored fertile fronds.
- Deciduous: The fronds die back in the fall, adding a golden-yellow color to the autumn landscape before disappearing for the winter.
- Growing Conditions and Care:
- Shade lover: Thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter.
- Moisture-loving: Requires consistently moist soil. It is an excellent choice for bog gardens, stream banks, or other areas with ample moisture.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established. You can remove any dead or damaged fronds in late winter or early spring.
- Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
- Benefits:
- Dramatic foliage: The large, upright fronds add a dramatic vertical element to the garden.
- Unique fertile fronds: The cinnamon-colored fertile fronds add a distinctive touch.
- Naturalizes well: Spreads through rhizomes, forming colonies and creating a lush, naturalized look.
- Erosion control: The spreading rhizomes can help stabilize slopes and prevent erosion.
- Deer resistant: Deer generally avoid ferns.
- Uses:
- Woodland gardens: A perfect choice for woodland gardens, adding a touch of wildness and elegance.
- Shade gardens: Thrives in shady gardens or areas under trees.
- Bog gardens and water gardens: Ideal for wet areas, adding a lush, tropical feel.
- Naturalizing: Excellent for naturalizing in damp, shady areas.
- Borders and edging: Adds a dramatic vertical element to borders and edges.
- Mass plantings: Plant in groups for a stunning display of foliage and texture.
Overall, Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern) is a beautiful and dramatic fern that adds a touch of wildness and elegance to any shade garden. Its large, upright fronds, unique fertile fronds, and adaptability to moist conditions make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance and visually striking plant.
Important Note:
- Name Change: While still widely known as Osmunda cinnamomea, the scientific name has been updated to Osmundastrum cinnamomeum.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
