deer fern
© Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks
© Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks
Blechnum spicant is a charming native fern that is one of the best textural plants for the woodland garden. Fertile and sterile fronds (those that produce spores and those that do not) are different in shape, which creates a distinctive foliage texture and tonal contrast on the same plant. The sterile fronds form a tidy arching mound of clean looking delicately cut foliage. The fertile fronds rise straight up above this mound giving a thin wispy, almost skeletal appearance. Both fronds will remain good looking from spring to late winter.
Plant Type: fern
Foliage Type: evergreen
Plant Height (10-year): 2 ft. 0 in. (0.61 meters)
Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 2 ft. 0 in. (0.61 meters)
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 to 9
Flower Color: none
Sun/Light Exposure: light to deep shade
Water Requirements: occasional watering
Seasonal Interest: year-round evergreen foliage
Resistant to: deer
Great Plant Combinations:
Great Color Contrasts: blue, cream, silver
Great Color Partners: chartreuse, green
Deer fern is an adaptable fern growing well in light to deep shade. It will grow well in rich moist soils or well drained locations with occasional summer watering and will also tolerate sandy and clay soils. Old fronds should be cut back in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
Text and photos ©2020 Great Plant Picks/Elisabeth Carey Miller Garden except where otherwise noted
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation, The Seattle Times, and Individual Donors
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden