Blechnum gibbum

[steve 9atx]

Anyone have any experience with this fern?  Requirements?  Cold hardiness?  Any information appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

[osideterry]

Mine died to the ground when it hit 26F last January. I have another one planted, so we'll see how it does this year. They can take a fair amount of sun if you keep them watered. Below is the Dave's Garden file.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/56997/

[mnorell]

I grow these by mounding mulch/soil up and over the top of the trunk before a freeze is forecast, then removing it as soon as a stretch of mild weather returns. If it goes much below 27-28F for any length of time, the exposed portions of the fronds will burn off but as long as the crown and trunk are protected it will regrow perfectly. I had one last winter (we had a low of 22.8F) that I forgot to mulch before a hard freeze...thought I had lost it, and then in the spring a head emerged from the side of its short trunk about halfway up. Now it looks just fine. They seem quite cool-tolerant and can grow in full shade here and with the slight protection given as above, they look great. One of the best things about this plant is that it is so easy to protect! Otherwise it's quite a tough fern but does like a splash of moisture here and there during extended dry periods, even in heavy shade.

[LJG]

I have one that handled 28 degrees with no damage. Mine gets a lot of water and seems do do very well with it. Mine gets a lot of sun too. It can handle it, but prefers filtered.

[Gonzer]

Survived the freeze in O'side like a champ, 15 years old.

[Peter]

I've got a bunch and only had one with damage after the big freeze last winter.

[Urban Rainforest]

I love these ferns and there dirt cheap at places like Home Cheapo. Heres one of many I have planted with about 3 ft. of trunk.

Steve

[Urban Rainforest]

These are the knockouts though. Blechnum Brasiliensis.

Steve

[Urban Rainforest]

Here is another where the new fronds are starting to turn green.