Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis
Plant Type: Ferns
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Pollinators/Beneficial Insects
Wildlife Benefit
Cover
Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
Size

Height:

2 to
3
feet

Spread:

2 to
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
feet
Size
Height: 2 to
3
feet
Spread: 2 to
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Ideal for moist wodland & shady water's edge plantings.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grows well in rich, wet soil in an area mostly protected from the sun.
Special Features
Special Usage
Containers, Rainscaping
Basic Description

A large graceful fern with smooth textured, pale green, 2-3 feet long, divided fronds that change to a brilliant yellow in autumn. Taller in the wild. A ‘regal’, stiffly erect habit forms huge clumps when mature.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

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