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Mertensia virginica en masse.
Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free
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Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern)

Wooly covered fiddleheads of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Wooly covered fiddleheads of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Unfurling frond of Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Bead-like sporangia of a fertile frond of native Osmundastrum cinnamomeum.
Bead-like sporangia of a fertile frond of native Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Fertile fronds of native Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Colors of fall foliage in Cinnamon Fern. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-10-11, Longwood Gardens.

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Whether by themselves on the woodland floor or coming through shade-tolerant ornamentals, Cinnamon Fern fronds are beautiful when they unfurl in spring and then turn vibrant shades of gold and orange in fall. This versatile, easy to grow fern, formerly classified as Osmunda cinnamomea, is found frequently to commonly throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Fern Fiddleheads, Fertile/Sterile Fronds, Fall Foliage Height: 2–3 feet Spread: 2–3 feet Bloom Color: Non-flowering Characteristics Deciduous perennial in vase-shaped clump with massive rootstocks of densely matted, wiry roots Wooly hairs cover emerging fiddleheads Erect, fertile fronds appear first, maturing from green to red-brown; they release spores early summer, then promptly wither to the ground Yellow-green sterile fronds arch outward and have distinguishing cinnamon hair tuft at base Vibrant fall foliage from golden to burnt orange Attributes Tolerates dense shade and rabbits; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Osmunda root fiber used for potting orchids Ethnobotanic uses; eating fiddleheads may be unsafe Provides food for a few insects, nesting material (wooly fiddlehead covering) for birds and protective cover when large colonies form Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Humus-rich, acidic Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Moist, Wet An excellent fern for the beginning gardener Use as a dramatic accent plant, in rain or woodland gardens, or along fresh water’s edge Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 Excellent Replacement for Hedera helix - English Ivy Liriope spicata - Creeping Lily-turf Vinca minor - Periwinkle developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, U.S. National Arboretum

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern)

Whether by themselves on the woodland floor or coming through shade-tolerant ornamentals, Cinnamon Fern fronds are beautiful when they unfurl in spring and then turn vibrant shades of gold and orange in fall. Fossil records date back 75-180 million years. This versatile, easy to grow fern is still found frequently to commonly throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region.

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

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