Cystopteris fragilis
brittle bladder fern
Clump-forming, deciduous fern about 20cm tall, with upright rhizomes and tufts of lance-shaped pale, grey-green fronds to 45cm long, with segments sharply pointed at the tips
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Woodsiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Tufted
- Genus
A diverse genus of rhizomatous, perennial ferns known as bladderferns or fragile ferns. Their appearance can vary greatly across species making it hard to identify them, but they generally have green, pinnate foliage and rounded, inflated spores (sori)
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade with shelter from cold, drying winds
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or plant bulbils in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Tidy spent leaves in autumn
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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