| 1–5 | — | $18.00 ea |
|---|---|---|
| 6-11 | 10% off | $16.20 ea |
| 12-23 | 20% off | $14.40 ea |
| 24+ | 25% off | $13.50 ea |
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.
| 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. |
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.
| 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. |
Yes, it is a native fern suited to damp natural-style plantings.
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.
No, it forms clumps rather than running heavily through the bed.
It performs best where the soil stays consistently moist.
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43011
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Very dedicated and professional. We are happy with the way they planted 14 trees for us. 11 green giants, 2 white pines and 1 Norway spruce.
Picked up my plants-ostrich ferns and blue ice amsonia without any problems! Wonderful, responsive owners! Will be buying from them in the future!
Showed up on time and planted it perfectly. I indicated a light we had to illuminate it and they placed it for optimal lighting. Worked fast and left a clean worksite. First rate!
Really great website, communication and installation. Very happy customer and would recommend them.
They delivered three trees: a big linden, a big poplar and a little spice bush with install on the big trees. The install guys were great and professional and fast. All the trees looked good with minimal damage.
I went up there today from Quincy MA to pick up two Blue Wichita Junipers and they were absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chris and everybody from Pro Growers of New England!
The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
