Photo of Asplenium scolopendrium foliage, form by Liné1

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Buy Asplenium scolopendrium

Also Known As

  • Phyllitis scolopendrium
  • Scolopendrium vulgare
  • Hart's Tongue Fern

Plant type

fern

size

  • H: 12"-24"
  • W: 12"-24"

planting zones

  • 4a-9b

1 gallon bagged root ball | $17

Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total

Fewer than 19 at Gossler Farms

4" | $13

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Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

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Asplenium scolopendrium plant details

Asplenium scolopendrium is an evergreen fern with green foliage. Features glossy texture. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in alkaline, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Asplenium scolopendrium

Plant type: fern
Plant family: aspleniaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 24 IN - tall
Uses: border plant, container plant, leathery leaves, rock garden, woodland garden, year-round-interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Asplenium scolopendrium

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: alkaline, average, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Very distinctive and affectionately known to fern enthusiasts as ?Scolly?, the EG strap-like fronds of this limestone-loving fern bear little resemblance to the frilly fronds of some ferns. Sh-PSh/M/GDr/Lime
(HART’S TONGUE FERN)  Pretty, evergreen, leathery, tongue shaped leaves, arch upward 12-18” tall, some with wavy margins forming slowly expanding clumps. Part to full shade, regular water, best in well drained, humusy soils that are slightly alkaline.  Great candidate for pots.  Woodland, rock garden jewel. USDA Z5-9
The Hart's Tongue Fern is probably the most unusual looking of all the hardy ferns because of its solid fronds that are often wavy around the edges. Although they prefer shade, these plants will tolerate more sun than most other fern species. In fact, in the wild they are often found growing in cracks in exposed limestone outcrops with little protection from trees.

Planting Instructions
Depending on the season your fern may arrive with actively growing fronds or with the fronds pruned back to the crown level. Plant with the crown just poking out of the soil line and the top of the root mass covered by an inch or less of soil. We prune the roots before shipping plants to ensure they establish quickly, but make sure to spread the roots across the soil rather than balling them into a twisted lump when planting.

Watering and Soil
Ferns prefer to have consistent water through the summer but avoid keeping the ground too wet - lightly moist is ideal. If you are planting ferns in poor soil or boggy locations you can pile up shredded landscaping bark or aged compost and plant directly in that. Painted Ferns naturally grow in decades or centuries worth of decaying fallen needles and branches and don't actually need to grow directly in the soil. Just keep in mind that fresh materials consume a lot of nitrogen as they decompose so adding fertilizer each year ensures the plants will have access to enough to grow to their full potential. Organic matter dries out faster than soil and often doesn't absorb water again very well after drying out completely so drip systems or regular watering greatly improve water retention.
Hart's tongue fern have pointed undivided fronds. The glossy foliage has pretty buttonhole spores on the underside of the fronds. We have this fern under our mist bench in the greenhouse.
Zn 4. Lance-shaped bright foliage. Evergreen.
Upright fronds are erect with heart shaped bases & pointed apexes. Plant in partial sun to full shade in well drained, moist soil, responds well to basic soil with lime added. Zones 4 to 9. Size: 12” to 24”. Evergreen.
Hart's Tongue Fern. A distinctive fern whose undissected pale green leaves sets it apart from its allies. A tidy evergreen compact clumper to 16" tall by 20"+ across which is easy to please and goes so well with Trilliums and Arisaemas. This one doesn't mind some alkalinity and we have seen this self-sowing on damp brick walls where it enjoys the good drainage. And it is rabbit resistant which we appreciate.
Hart's tongue fern makes a beautiful specimen with light green undissected foliage that looks like tongues, hence the common name. The fronds are roughly oriented in a vase shape making this a great achitectural plant for the front of shade border which contrasts well in form with other shade perennials.
Evergreen, leathery, strap shaped fronds Zone 5-9. 8"-16", Eastern US, part shade-shade, moist, well drained
Hardy with a tropical look. Prefers lime-based soil. Happiest in shady spot. English origin. Although Aspleniums will perform fine in acid soils, they will appreciate a little lime or broken concrete mixed in with with annual topdressing.
Evergreen. Although naturally occurring in many areas, this medium sized fern prefers lime rich soil in moist sites. The uncut fronds are 8-28" in length and maintain a very dressy appearance for months. It is a good, solid filler for flower arrangments.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Evergreen fern with bright green, leathery, tongue-shaped fronds forming erect clumps up to 1-1.5 ft tall and wide. This European native for part to full shade is best grown in rich, very well-drained soil with average summer moisture. Thrives in alkaline, limestone soils as well. Frost hardy to -20F, USDA zone 5.
A common fern that has been around, but still to be discovered by many and used to advantage; scolopendrium has a bold arching form with 2-3 inch wide, lustrous and puckered evergreen fronds. 16"T x 24"W

Gardening facts about Asplenium scolopendrium plant

How to Grow Asplenium scolopendrium

  • Sun Exposure

    • bright shade - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • alkaline
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glossy
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
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