Arborvitae Fern Selaginella braunii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Selaginella pellascens
- Phonetic Spelling
- sel-ah-gih-NEL-ah BRAWN-ee-eye
- Description
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Arborvitae Fern, though it produces spores is not a true fern but a prehistoric plant called a club moss. Its thick scaly leaves, that resemble Arborvitae or Cedar, form a matting groundcover quickly shading out weeds. grows in partial shade to shade, in well-drained, organically enriched soil. Though it likes shady moist spots, it does not withstand standing water. It is an easy plant to grow and looks great forming a skirt around taller plants in containers and hanging baskets. Needs good drainage when grown in containers. Small varieties are great in terrariums. After a harsh winter if fronds appear ragged cut it back, apply an all purpose slow-release fertilizer, and new growth will appear quickly. The clumps can be divided any time of year or cutting root easily in damp soil.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Can form a dense ground cover that could eliminate other vegetation.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Selaginella
- Species:
- braunii
- Family:
- Selaginellaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green, scaly, leathery frond-like, erect, branched leaves that look like Cedar or Arborvitae. The margins are slightly transparent.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect and highly branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
