Blechnum chilense

A Prehistoric, Architectural Fern for the Exotic Garden

If you want to inject serious structural impact and a prehistoric feel into your planting scheme, Blechnum chilense (the Chilean Hard Fern) is an outstanding choice. Native to the damp, temperate forests of South America, this robust and highly architectural fern is a staple for exotic gardeners looking for dramatic, large-scale ground cover that stands its ground year-round.

Currently established in 12cm pots, these young plants are tough, well-rooted, and ready to be planted out or potted on. Once established, they will spread via thick underground rhizomes to form an impressive, jungle-like colony.

Key Features:

• Dramatic New Growth: One of its most beautiful features is the flush of new spring fronds, which often emerge in striking shades of bronze, pink, or coppery-red before hardening off to a deep, glossy forest green.

• Prehistoric Texture: Produces massive, leathery, ladder-like fronds that can easily reach 1 to 1.5 meters in length once the plant is mature. The foliage has a rough, corrugated texture that looks genuinely ancient.

• Evergreen Architecture: In mild UK regions (like here in Cornwall), the foliage remains evergreen, providing crucial winter structure and color when the rest of the exotic garden has died back.

• Spreading Habit: Over time, it creeps via creeping rhizomes, slowly forming a dense, weed-suppressing colony. In great conditions, older specimens can even develop a short, stout trunk.

Care & Cultivation in the UK:

This is a tough, robust fern that thrives in the UK climate, especially in damp, sheltered gardens.

• Light Requirements: Performs best in partial shade to full shade. It can tolerate some sun if the soil is kept exceptionally damp, but the fronds will look lushest in a woodland setting.

• Watering & Soil: Thrives in consistently moist, humus-rich soil. It is very tolerant of wet, boggy conditions, making it an excellent choice for damp borders or planting near ponds and water features.

• Hardiness: Extremely hardy across the UK. While a very severe, prolonged freeze or harsh winter winds might scorch the older fronds, the thick rhizomes are well-protected underground and will readily push fresh, perfect growth the following spring.

• Maintenance: Very low maintenance. Simply trim away any tatty, damaged, or winter-scorched fronds at the base in early spring just before the new fronds begin to unroll.

Supplied as: 1 x established young plant in a 12cm nursery pot, ready to be planted out or potted up to begin forming a dramatic architectural clump.