Light
Part shade to full shade.
Growing guide · Perennials
Phegopteris decursive-pinnata
How to grow Japanese Beech Fern.
Fills the shade. Politely, mostly.
- Light
- Part sun, shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Zones
- 4–8
- Size
- 18–24 in. tall, spreading
- Spacing
- 18–24 in. apart; it fills in.
- Pets
- Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Water
Keep it moist, especially the first year. It adapts to drier soil once settled but looks best with steady water.
Planting and soil
Plant in spring or early fall with the crown just at the surface, in soil with plenty of organic matter.
Feeding
Compost or leaf mulch in spring.
Pruning
Cut old fronds to the ground in early spring before new ones unroll.
Through the year
Fronds unroll in April. Green all summer. Browns with hard frost; semi-evergreen in mild winters.
If something's off
Brown, crisp fronds mean too much sun or too little water. Can wander into neighbors; pull runners in spring.
Plays well with
Plant it with friends.
Why we stock it: A tall, easy groundcover for shade that looks fresh from spring to frost.
That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.
Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.
Kits with Japanese Beech Fern.
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Japanese Beech Fernfrom $29.99 · Arrives alive, or we replace it
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