Osmunda claytoniana

Common Names

Interrupted Fern, Clayton's Fern, Clayton's Flowering Fern

Summary

Interrupted Fern is native to eastern North America and eastern Asia and grows as a deciduous, clump-forming fern in moist woods, swamps, and wetland margins. It reaches about 2–4 ft tall and about 2–3 ft wide, with vase-shaped fronds comprising two leaf forms: green sterile fronds and mid-frond fertile fronds whose spore-bearing pinnae are located in the middle and brown wither, producing the characteristic interruption. Silvery-white fiddleheads appear in spring, and dense colonies form a woodland texture.

In cultivation, it prefers cool, moist, lightly shaded sites with consistently moist, acidic soils; it tolerates sun when moisture remains ample and is easy to grow, forming a non-aggressive clump for shade borders, woodland gardens, and areas near streams or ponds. Propagation by spores or division in spring or autumn; pest-free outdoors; deer and rabbit resistant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-4 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Moist, humus-rich, acidic soil with good drainage

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

Acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Does not bloom

Foliage Color

Green, pale green, light green, yellow-green

Fall Foliage Color

Brown Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing; may take 2–5 years to reach mature size.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Spores, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds