Leatherleaf Fern
Most recognized as standard greenery in floral arrangements, this fern produces deep green leathery foliage that is textural with a nice sheen; prefers bright shade with no direct sun; great for containers and baskets
Attracts,
Brand,
Brand,
Botanical Name,
Bulb Size,
Bulbs per Package,
Deer Resistant,
Evergreen or Deciduous,Evergreen
Family,
Family Name,Shield Fern
Flower Color,
Bloom Time,
Foliage Color,Green
Genus,
Genus Name,Rumohra
Model,
Tomato Class,
Tomato Type,
Weather,
Days to Emerge,
Days to Maturity,
Edible,
Features,
Growth Rate,Medium
Hardiness,
Hardiness Zone,8b
Harvest Season,
Landscape Uses,Massing, Garden, Container, Basket
Light Needs,Partial Shade, Shade
Mature Height,3 feet
Mature Width,3 feet
Prune Time,Should Not Need Pruning
Self Pollinating,
Water Needs,Average to Moist
Waterwise,
Essentials for Success
For flourishing plants, use potting soil for potted plants or planting mix for garden beds paired with Root Zone starter fertilizer is the perfect duo to foster robust root growth and minimize transplant shock.
Details
Leatherleaf Fern is an herbaceous evergreen fern with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Leatherleaf Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications:
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
- Container Planting
- Hanging Baskets
Features
Leatherleaf Fern's attractive glossy ferny leaves emerge light green in spring, turning dark green in color the rest of the year. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.
Care
Planting & Growing
Leatherleaf Fern will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.
Leatherleaf Fern is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
