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Arborvitae Fern Selaginella braunii

Previously known as:

  • Selaginella pellascens
Phonetic Spelling
sel-ah-gih-NEL-ah BRAWN-ee-eye
Description

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#year-round interest#hanging baskets#disease resistant#terrarium#deer resistant#groundcover#exotic looking#evergreen ferns#humidity tolerant#container plant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#specimen#semi-evergreen#shade garden#fern#year-round interest#hanging baskets#disease resistant#terrarium#deer resistant#groundcover#exotic looking#evergreen ferns#humidity tolerant#container plant#woodland
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Erect and highly branched.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade