Great Plant Pick: Purple-tinged royal fern

Published 4:09 pm Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Purple-tinged royal fern

Purple-tinged royal fern (or regal fern), Osmunda regalis “Purpurascens,” is a handsome, majestic garden fern with large, rather coarse foliage.

It is one of the largest of the temperate ferns, growing as tall as 6 feet, with an upright, vase shape.

Its bold fronds provide contrast when placed with other ferns and perennials. When the fronds unfurl in spring, they are bright green and they hold that shade all summer.

The cultivar ‘Purpurascens’ has been selected because the main stem of its fronds (technically called the rachis) is tinged deep purple.

At maturity these sterile fronds are tipped with tassle-like fertile (spore-bearing) leaflets. In autumn their bright green fades to tones of gold and russet.

In addition to being ornamental, royal fern’s roots are used commercially in orchid potting mixes.

Size: 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide

Where: Light to open shade or full sun if in a constantly moist location.

Water: Frequent watering on drier sites, less so on moist sites

— Great Plant Picks