The plants are beautiful and delivery happened so quickly. Will order from them again.
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American Royal Fern (1 Gallon)
American Royal Fern (1 Gallon)
$18.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Quantity
30 in stock
Osmunda spectabilis
Choose American Royal Fern for a damp, shaded planting where you want a larger native fern with an upright, open look. The tradeoff: it is not a good pick for dry shade or tight foundation beds.
Buy This If
- Your soil stays damp.
- You want a native fern.
- You have room for a larger clump.
Skip This If
- The area dries out often.
- You need a small edging fern.
- You want evergreen winter cover.
PGNE Report Card
| Category | Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape Impact | B+ | It gives wet shade plantings a strong native fern presence without looking heavy. |
| Growth Rate | B | It fills in at a steady pace when moisture is reliable, but it is not an instant carpet. |
| Maintenance | A- | Once placed in damp soil, care is mostly cutting back old fronds after they decline. |
| Deer Resistance | A- | Deer rarely browse ferns, making this one of the more dependable choices where deer pressure is heavy. |
| Small Space Fit | C | Its larger clump and upright habit need more breathing room than compact ferns. |
| Screening Value | D | It adds seasonal texture but should not be used as a privacy or screening plant. |
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend American Royal Fern for rain gardens, pond edges, and low woodland areas, not for dry shade under maples unless irrigation is part of the plan.
Plant Facts
| Botanical Name | Osmunda spectabilis |
|---|---|
| Common Name | American Royal Fern |
| Mature Height | 2-5 ft |
| Mature Width | 2-3 ft |
| Hardiness Zones | 3a-9b |
| Spacing | 2-3 ft |
| Sun | Part Shade to Full Shade |
| Moisture | Moist; plant in soil that stays consistently moist |
| Growth Habit | Clump-forming, upright, deciduous |
| Evergreen | No |
| Native | Yes (species native to New England/eastern US) |
| Best Used For | Wetland restoration • Rain gardens and pond edges • Riparian buffer plantings • Native woodland shade |
| Wetland Indicator Status | OBL (Obligate Wetland) — occurs in wetlands more than 99% of the time. Source: USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List, Northcentral & Northeast region. |
Customers Usually Ask
Is American Royal Fern native?
Yes, it is a native fern suited to damp natural-style plantings.
Can I use this on a permitted wetland or buffer job?
Yes. It carries an OBL (Obligate Wetland) rating on the USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List for our region, which is the rating system most conservation commissions and wetland scientists work from.
Will it spread aggressively?
No, it forms clumps rather than running heavily through the bed.
Does it need wet soil?
It performs best where the soil stays consistently moist.
Why buy for fall color
- See the actual color before you buy it
- Foliage, berries and late bloom — all three seasons of interest
- Fall planting means roots established before winter
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43011
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