Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Ferns / Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted Fern)

Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted Fern)

Fiddleheads of Osmunda claytoniana
Fiddleheads of Osmunda claytoniana unfurling
Maturing fertile pinnae in between sterile pinnae of Osmunda claytoniana
Fertile pinnae in between sterile pinnae of Osmunda claytoniana
Osmunda claytoniana frond
Osmunda claytoniana frond
Osmunda claytoniana clump in landscape

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

This native, more common to western and northern portions of the Mid-Atlantic Region,* grows in moist woods, slopes and swamp edges. The term “interrupted” in its common name refers to the distinctive gap left in the middle of the fern blade when fertile leaflets wither and fall off mid-summer. Fern Fiddleheads, Fertile Pinnae, Clump Height: 2–3 feet Spread: 2–3 feet Bloom Color: Non-flowering Characteristics Deciduous perennial in vase-shaped clumps Silvery-white fiddlehead hairs turn to bronze Lime to medium green compound foliage appears on smooth green stalks Sterile fronds arch outward encircling the taller, erect fertile fronds In spring fertile fronds are interrupted mid-blade by dark green, spore-bearing pinnae (leaflets) that ripen to brown and fall off in summer Attributes Tolerates shallow, rocky soil, drier soil, dense shade, and rabbits; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Once eaten, fiddleheads now deemed carcinogenic Rhizomes are source of fiber for potting orchids Provides cover for birds and other animals Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Rich, acidic to neutral Hedera helix - English Ivy Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Liriope spicata - Spreading Lily-Turf Water Requirements: Moist Vinca minor - Periwinkle With constant moisture can reach 5 or 6 feet tall Use in woodland gardens and along fresh water’s edge * It is native to DC. In DE, it is common in the Piedmont and uncommon in the Coastal Plain. In VA, it is common in the mountains, frequent in the Piedmont (including NoVA), and rare in the Coastal Plain. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Quarry Shade Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):
Osmunda claytoniana (Interrupted Fern)

This native (also known as Osmunda claytoniana L. var. claytoniana), more common to western and northern portions of the Mid-Atlantic Region,* grows in moist woods, slopes and swamp edges. The term “interrupted” in its common name refers to the distinctive gap left in the middle of the fern blade when fertile leaflets wither and fall off mid-summer.

* It is native to DC. In DE, it is common in the Piedmont and uncommon in the Coastal Plain. In VA, it is common in the mountains, frequent in the Piedmont (including NoVA), and rare in the Coastal Plain.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Back to Top