Osmunda regalis Purpurascens - Purple Royal Fern - Plant in 5 L Pot

Ferns are a delight for any garden that can provide their basic requirements. They fill that space that few other plants will thrive in and at the same time bring colour and form to please. A rich, always moist, even wet, neutral or acid soil, with plenty of organic matter, in a shady location is ideal. Full sun is possible but the soil must retain plenty of moisture, so beside a pond or similar. The form and texture of Osmunda regalis Purpurascens are unique. The fronds are cut twice into large rounded leaflets, resulting in foliage that resembles that of the pea family. Delicate, bright green fronds, often with a silvery cast, are crowned with golden, fruiting pinnae on wine-coloured petioles. Young shoots in spring are purple and the stems remain that colour all season. Good autumn colours. Fronds grow up to 1.2 mtrs in height and often 45 cm. in width. Rootstock are elevated up to 150mm above the soil surface, with black roots extending deep into the subsoil. An exceptional specimen plant. Grow in full sun to full shade in fertile constantly moist or poorly drained soils. Will grow in alkaline soils. Ferns can be grown very successfully in pots and containers as long as you can reproduce the basic requirements, and especially the need for constant moisture. This listing is for large three year old plants. Please note that this is a deciduous fern. In winter there will only be a large crown showing above the compost.