Blechnum spicant

Blechnum spicant, Deer Fern or Hard Fern, is one of the most beautiful of the hardy evergreen ferns from the northern hemisphere with a large range that takes in North America, Iceland, the UK and Europe, including Scandinavia. Its sterile foliage is quite distinctive with long leathery fronds of opposing pinnae with slightly wavy margins and these change as they develop spores becoming much thinner with two rows of brownish sori on the undersides. It is extremley hardy, tolerating frost and long periods of sub-zero temperatures. It prefers a moist humus-rich soil and shade to semi-shade. Its exotic-looking foliage blends well with other ferns and exotic perennials.