Osmunda cinnamomea, commonly known as Cinnamon Fern, is a stately native fern prized for its large vase shaped fronds and striking cinnamon colored fertile spikes that appear in early spring. It thrives in moist, shaded environments and adds elegant structure to woodland gardens, rain gardens, and streambanks.
Height & Spread: 24 - 48 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Non flowering (spore producing in spring)
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist to wet, humus rich soil
Watering Needs: High; consistent moisture required
Deer Resistance: Rarely browsed due to coarse texture
Native Status
Osmunda cinnamomea is native to eastern North America, commonly found in wetlands, moist woodlands, and along shaded streambanks.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- The dense base of Cinnamon Fern clumps provides nesting material and shelter for woodland songbirds such as ovenbirds, veeries, and thrushes.
Amphibians
- The moisture retentive habitats created by Cinnamon Ferns support salamanders, frogs, and other amphibians seeking refuge in shady understory environments.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 24 - 36 inches apart to allow fronds to mature into full arching forms without crowding neighboring plants.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for naturalizing in shaded rain gardens, streamside plantings, or beneath canopy trees where soils remain consistently moist. Adds height and drama to mixed native plantings.
Companion Plants
- Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern) - Delicate black stemmed fronds offer fine texture contrast and thrive in similar woodland habitats.
- Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit) - Unusual spathe and spadix flowers pair well with fern structure and add seasonal intrigue.
- Mitchella repens (Partridge Berry) - Ground hugging evergreen foliage and red berries create a lush carpet around fern bases.
- Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) - Clumping perennial with airy spring blooms and foliage that forms a soft underplanting for ferns.
- Carex crinita (Fringed Sedge) - A native sedge that complements Cinnamon Fern with its arching seedheads and wet soil tolerance.