Buy Blechnum chilense

Also Known As

Blechnum cordatum
Blechnum cordatum chiliense
Parablechnum cordatum
Chilean Hard Fern
Costilla de Vaca

Plant type

fern

size

H: 3'-5'
W: 3'-5'

planting zones

7a-10b

4" | $21

Ships USPS, based on weight/location

Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

1 gallon bagged root ball | $41

Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total.

30 at Gossler Farms

3/4 gallon pot-bare root | $20

Ships as soon as new growth is hardened off

30 at Sebright Gardens

More Options

Blechnum chilense plant details

A knockout of a fern with elegant but sturdy evergreen fronds with rippling leathery foliage and pink stems. In absolutely ideal ferny conditions, think rich, moist, cool, shady woodlands, it can reach up to 5', but it is unfussy and will grow in mostly sunny spots too, if well-watered. More typically seen growing 2-3 feet. Over time, fern babies develop around the base, which can be left to form a most welcome colony, or transplanted to grow your collection.

Blechnum chilense is an evergreen fern with bronze and green foliage. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Blechnum chilense

Plant type: fern
Plant family: blechnaceae
Foliage: evergreen bronze and green
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Uses: big leaves, container plant, leathery leaves, showy, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Blechnum chilense

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, average, clay, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This gorgeous yet rare fern has thick leathery fronds that often emerge tinted with copper and red. It is slowly rhizomatous forming beautiful masses with time. A native of Chile, it grows in a wide range of habitats where good moisture is available. Evergreen in mild winters, deciduous in cold winters.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

A southern Chilean native that will have large evergreen leaves with large rounded leaflets. This 2'-3' fern is for milder climates. Our plant has been here for 15 years and survived 5°-10° F.

By: Gossler Farms

Most ferns are subtle, but this one is a STUNNER! Coiled, cranberry red stems unfurl to upright fronds cloaked in thick, glossy evergreen leaves…it looks so good, people think its fake! If really happy, it can reach 5’, but usually 2-3’; eventually, young ferns will come up around the original plant from rhizomes, these can easily be removed and shared or you can have a little colony of these beautiful plants! Shady, moist and cool is best but takes some sun with lots of water. USDA Z7b

By: Secret Garden Growers

Thick, robust, very attractive dark green pinnatifid fronds. Plant in nearly full sun to nearly full shade in moist soil. Height: 2 to 5 feet. Stoloniferous. Zones 7b-9. Evergreen.

By: Sebright Gardens

Striking evergreen fern with dark green fronds, upright and leathery on rosy pink stems, to 5-6 ft tall in perfect conditions, e.g., moist, cool shade. Can take more light with plenty of summer water. Forms colonies through underground rhizomes. Very nice and very effective in the woodland garden. Frost hardy in USDA zone 8.

By: Cistus Nursery

One of those WOW! ferns which cannot help itself from stealing the spotlight. This spreading Chilean relative to our Deer Fern loves a moist spot where it makes a colony displaying its awesome-by-anyone's-definition leaves. Leaves which in a mild boggy garden can reach 4'-5'.