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.
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
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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
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.