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Ferns

Blechnum novae-zelandiae

palm-leaf fern

An evergreen fern with short creeping rhizomes bearing large bright green, wavy leaflets on pendulous sterile fronds. Young growth is often orange to deep red. The erect, fertile fronds have leaflets greatly reduced in width which curl and turn black as the spores ripen

Other common names

kiokio

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Clay

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full shade
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Blechnaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen or Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Blechnum are mostly evergreen ferns with erect or creeping rhizomes and simply pinnate, leathery fronds, the fertile ones usually erect, the sterile often spreading
Name status: Correct
Plant range: New Zealand, Chatham Is., Kermadec Is.

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but free draining soil in lightly shaded sites or in full sun if given plenty of moisture. Tolerant of dry shade but water regularly in their first season and mulch well. For more information see how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Generally not necessary but can remove damaged or old fronds in spring if required.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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