Blechnum wattsii
hard water-fern
Overview
Blechnum wattsii is an evergreen ground fern of cool, wet forests in southeastern Australia and Tasmania, growing in shaded gullies, along creeks, and in rainforest. It produces stiff, leathery, once-divided fronds 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) long from a creeping underground rhizome, spreading slowly into open colonies rather than tight clumps. The fronds are dark green and harder in texture than those of related water-ferns, with new growth flushing pink to coppery bronze before hardening to green. As with all ferns, it reproduces by spores rather than flowers, and narrow fertile fronds carry continuous lines of spore cases on their undersides. It needs cool, moist, shaded conditions and steady humidity, and the fronds scorch in hot sun or drying wind. It tolerates cold and light frost better than many ferns, in keeping with its montane and Tasmanian range. The creeping habit can spread wider than expected in damp, sheltered beds. Old fronds can be removed as they brown with age.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania. It grows in cool temperate rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, and shaded gullies on moist, acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Blechnum wattsii is used as a groundcover and understorey fern in shaded, moist gardens, fernries, and along ponds and creeks. It suits cool courtyards and the damp, shaded base of taller plantings. Grown in groups it forms a spreading green carpet in deep shade.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Ferns do not flower; Blechnum wattsii reproduces by spores. Continuous lines of spore cases form along the undersides of narrow fertile fronds, mainly in the warmer months. Ripe spores are released and carried by wind and water.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark green, pink to bronze when newGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Blechnum wattsii grows in shade to part shade in cool, constantly moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter. It does not tolerate drying out, and its fronds scorch in hot sun or dry wind. Steady moisture, humidity, and shelter keep the fronds fresh, and a leaf-litter mulch suits the shallow, creeping roots. It tolerates cold and light frost better than many ferns. In gardens it spreads slowly from rhizomes to form a low groundcover and needs little attention once settled. Old or damaged fronds can be cut away as they brown.Pruning
Pruning is limited to removing old, browned, or damaged fronds at the base as they age. The creeping rhizome can be cut back at the edges to limit spread. Clearing spent fronds in late winter makes way for the pink new growth.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons