Hart’s Tongue Fern

A native Irish fern, Asplenium scolopendrium is a small, rich green, hardy, clump-forming evergreen fern with broad strap-like leaves with wavy edges, a vivid contrast to lacier ferns. It is often seen at the foot of stone walls – it likes the lime from the mortar, although it will tolerate most well-drained soils, even dry ones once it’s established. Hart’s tongue fern is a very useful plant for deep shade, where its brilliant green makes a bright patch in the gloom, retaining its fresh appearance all year. Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soils: Any well-drained soil, preferably moist and slightly alkaline
Position: Partial to full shade
Season of interest: All year
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height to 2’ (60cm) Spread to 2’ (60cm)