Osmunda regalis Purpurascens - Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens' is a magnificent fern of large dimensions, with rather slow growth, and elegant fronds tinged with purple, especially the young croziers in spring. This remarkable Purple Royal Fern, to be planted in semi-shade in moist and fertile soil, takes on beautiful golden autumn shades, illuminating the shaded areas of the garden with a splendid blaze!

Osmunda regalis, commonly known as Royal Fern, is a large deciduous fern originating from temperate and subtropical regions and belonging to the family Osmundaceae. It is present in many regions of the world, except in Australia. In temperate zones, it grows in plains, on marshy soils or along rivers or lakes; in the tropics, it is found mainly in mountains. This magnificent Royal Fern is becoming increasingly rare in the wild. The Osmunda regalis 'Purpurascens' is a vigorous variety with a spreading habit and large growth, measuring up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) in diameter. Robust and compact tufts of wide, lanceolate and bipinnate sterile fronds, ranging from 50 to 1.5 metres (16.4in to 5 feet) long, emerge from its voluminous rootstock, turning violet in spring and becoming copper-green with purple veins and petioles when mature. From July to September, large fronds, partly fertile, measuring up to 2 meters (7 feet), emerge and end in plume-like spikes of green sporangia, turning ochre-brown when ripe. In autumn, its fronds take on very pretty golden hues. Planted in shade, the Purple Royal Fern will produce fewer fertile fronds, but its overall size will be larger; on the other hand, when planted in a sunny location, it will be more compact and stocky, but will exhibit numerous fertile fronds. Its growth is rather moderate in the first few years as it takes some time to fully establish itself.

The Royal Fern is dedicated to Saint Christopher, considered the patron saint of travelers. Its roots possess numerous medicinal properties: astringent, diuretic, purgative, and tonic properties... The fibrous, dense, and voluminous rhizome, perfectly suited for the cultivation of epiphytic plants, is used for the production of supports or substrates for the cultivation of certain orchids.

This Purple Royal Fern should be planted in moist and humus-rich, acidic or neutral soil, in full sun or semi-shade. It is therefore ideally placed along the edge of a water feature (pond, stream, marsh, basin, waterfall), but it also thrives in the edge of woodlands or rock gardens, as long as the soil remains consistently moist. Allow enough space around it for it to fully develop. With its very graphic appearance, it fits perfectly in a contemporary garden, a water garden, a wild garden, a shade garden, and even a Japanese garden. It can be grown as a standalone plant, but will also be an excellent companion for plants that have the same requirements as it does, such as Ligularias, Rodgersias, Gunneras, Virginia Sweetspires, Siberian, Japanese or marsh Irises, Marsh Marigold, Spiranthes, Japanese Maples, Trollius, Solomon's Seal, Water Mint, and Blue Himalayan Poppy.