Hard fern (Blechnum spicant) is a fern that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Hard fern (Blechnum spicant).
This plant has several common names including: hard fern, deer fern, herringbone fern, northern fern, rusty back or snake fern.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: hard fern, deer fern, herringbone fern, northern fern, rusty back, snake fern
Scientific name: Blechnum spicant
Plant type: Ferns
Habit: Tufted
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full shade, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Poorly drained
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Hard fern (Blechnum spicant) – T.Voekler, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Hard fern (Blechnum spicant), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Hard fern (Blechnum spicant) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Blechnum spicant likes to grow in moist but well drained or humid or poorly drained soils.
Sunlight
Hard fern (Blechnum spicant) is a plant that should be grown in shade or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Hard fern (Blechnum spicant) – GerritR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
