Asplenium scolopendrium

Description

Asplenium scolopendrium – hart’s tongue fern

Botanical name: Asplenium scolopendrium
Common names: Hart’s tongue fern
Family: Aspleniaceae
Plant type: Evergreen fern
Habit: Clump-forming, upright
Pot size: 3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall × 45–60cm spread
Foliage: Glossy, undivided, strap-shaped bright green fronds forming bold rosettes; evergreen
Flowers: None — ferns reproduce by spores, not flowers
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates lime; neutral to alkaline
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–8
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Europe including the UK
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Asplenium scolopendrium, the hart’s tongue fern, is an evergreen with glossy, undivided strap-shaped bright green fronds forming bold rosettes. An architectural, easy fern for moist shade, woodland borders and shaded walls.

GardenAdvice notes

A striking native evergreen fern, the hart’s tongue is unusual among ferns in having undivided, strap-shaped fronds, which form bold, glossy rosettes of fresh green. Architectural and long-lived, it is one of the finest ferns for year-round structure in shade, thriving in moist, humus-rich, even limy soils and happily colonising shady walls and banks.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds. It tolerates lime and does well in the shade and root competition beneath trees and shrubs, on shady banks and in wall crevices. Work in leaf mould, and space about 45cm apart.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil moist, especially while establishing, and mulch with leaf mould in autumn. Remove old, tatty or frost-damaged fronds in early spring before the new growth unfurls. No feeding is usually needed beyond an annual mulch.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps in spring.
• Spores: Can be raised from spores, and it often self-sows into shady walls and paving crevices.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Young fronds can be grazed by slugs and snails, and fronds may scorch in dry or exposed spots. Moist soil and shelter keep it in top condition.

Uses in the garden

Superb for shady and woodland borders, north-facing beds, shaded walls and banks, cool courtyards and among ferns and other shade plants, giving bold evergreen structure all year.

Wildlife value

The evergreen fronds provide year-round cover and shelter for small invertebrates.

Toxicity & safety

Hart’s tongue fern is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

The hart’s tongue is one of the best ferns for bold, glossy structure in a shady spot, and it will happily seed itself into damp shady walls and paving cracks, which is usually a delight rather than a problem. Give it moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from drying winds, and cut away the old fronds each spring to show off the fresh new growth.

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