Osmunda Species, Cinnamon Fern

Forms a graceful, vase-shaped clump that does not spread. In my climate (Boston Z6a) this is always deciduous. Where conditions are right...Read More, this can reach 5' tall but not much taller. I usually see it about 3' tall in the wild. (A hardy plant growing to 12' tall in Pennsylvania is misidentified as a fern, perhaps in reality Aralia spinosa.)

The new fiddleheads are covered in a silvery down which makes them exceptionally showy while they are uncoiling. The down disappears as the fronds expand.

The common name comes from the fertile fronds, whose appearance has been compared to cinnamon sticks. They emerge in spring, and only last a couple of weeks before disintegrating.

Fronds usually turn a lovely yellow in fall.

Grows largest and best in consistently wet soils, but tolerates medium moisture with shade. Can grow ratty in summer if irrigation fails.

After several years, clumps may be divided in spring before new fronds emerge.

I grew up most of my life in Pennsylvania where cinnamon ferns grow everywhere. They will grow well in moist shady areas but are in their...Read More greatest splendor in sunny, boggy or swampy areas. I have to dispute the maximum height on these ferns. I've seen mature Cinnamon ferns reach heights of 12 ft with my own literal measuring with a tape measure. Of course this was in my home state of Pennsylvania where forest and wild life are much more valued than here in Iowa. You also get plenty of precipitation from the great lakes. I tried bringing some back from a particular location where they reached a height of 12 ft but I could not duplicate the environment here in Iowa to get them to the height and size they were back home, too dry in Iowa and nothing but corn fields and crop sprays. Its crazy to see how farming can pulverize so much land and take away all the beauty of forest and fern life in a state. It is documented that the Ostrich Fern is the largest of the fern species in Northern states but if you seen what I've seen in my life, the beauty and size majesty goes to the Cinnamon Fern. I've only ever seen Ostrich Ferns reach a Maximum of 5 ft.

This fern is native to the eastern-half of the USA (including Texas), Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil,...Read More Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Bermuda, Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

It is considered an endangered species in the state of Iowa, and is listed as exploitably vulnerable in the state of New York.

While this fern does grow here (clay/loam soil under dense deciduous shade, watered regularly), it does not thrive as do many other fern ...Read Morevarieties such as lady fern or royal fern. The relatively coarse leaves look very unique and prehistoric.