Blechnum gibbum 'SilverLady'

Common name(s): 'Silver Lady' Fern, Dwarf Tree Fern, Norfolk Island Water Fern

Family: Blechnaceae Synonym(s): Oceaniopteris gibba, Blechnum neocaledonicum, Lomaria gibba, Lomaria neocaledonica, Struthiopteris gibba

Fern

Taken by Ken Harrington

Bark

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Fern / Fern Ally Properties

Origin(s)

Fiji

Fiji: Indigenous

New Caledonia

New Cal.: Indigenous

Norfolk Island

Norfolk Is: Indigenous

New Zealand

Nth. Is.: TKI, NO, AU

Plant Type

Solitary, Terrestrial Fern

Solitary,

Terrestrial Fern

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical

Temperate Warm,

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical

Aspect Range(s)

Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium, Shade - Heavy

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light,

Shade - Medium,

Shade - Heavy

Habitat Range(s)

Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical

Rainforest - Sub-tropical,

Rainforest - Tropical

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Gullies, Heavy soils, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Landscape, Moist areas, Moist Valley Slopes, Riparian Areas, Rivers / Creeks / Streams, Sandy Moist, Understory, Water sides, Well drained, Wind Protected

Garden,

Gullies,

Heavy soils,

Lakes / Dams / Swamps,

Landscape,

Moist areas,

Moist Valley Slopes,

Riparian Areas,

Rivers / Creeks / Streams,

Sandy Moist,

Understory,

Water sides,

Well drained,

Wind Protected

Mature Height

750mm-1m, 1-2m

750mm-1m,

1-2m

Mature Width

1-2m

Plant Shape

Dense, Standard Crown

Growth Rate

Fast

Life Span

5-15yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (upper)

Green Dark, Green Light

Green Dark,

Green Light

Frond Colour(s) (lower)

Green Dark, Green Light

Green Dark,

Green Light

Frond Texture (upper)

Glabrous

Frond Texture (lower)

Glabrous

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Length

900mm-1m

Frond Width

70-80mm

Frond Shape(s)

Elliptical

Oblanceolate

Pinnate / Imparapinnate

Elliptical,

Oblanceolate,

Pinnate / Imparapinnate

Frond Arrangement

Radial Stemmed Dense Crown

Root Properties

Root Type(s)

Fibrous

Rhizome Ascending

Fibrous,

Rhizome Ascending

Root/Rhizome Texture(s)

Rough / Scabrous

Stiff , Wiry

Stiff,

Wiry

Soil Properties

Soil Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Organic Matter, Hummus Rich

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Organic Matter,

Hummus Rich

Soil pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid

Acid,

Slightly Acid

Soil Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Damp,

Moist

Fertile , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Soil Salinities

None

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Other Properties / Uses

Bird Attraction(s)

Insect

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

Poor

Coastal

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Poor

Landscape Use

Good

Special Purpose(s)

Garden - Indoors, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Fern, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Informal, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Water, Interesting-Trunk, Phytophthora Susceptible, Playground Friendly, Pond Edge, Poolside, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Specimen

Garden - Indoors,

Garden-Australian Native,

Garden-Fern,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Rainforest,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Water,

Interesting-Trunk,

Phytophthora Susceptible,

Playground Friendly,

Pond Edge,

Poolside,

Shade Tolerant,

Shady Moist,

Specimen

Maintenance(s)

Dead Fronding

Pest / Diseases

Scale, Mealy Bug, Phytophthora cinnamomi

Scale,

Mealy Bug,

Phytophthora cinnamomi

General Notes

A hardy fern for shady areas, looking like a miniature tree fern, creating a relaxed tropical feel in underplantings of larger trees. Keeping up the humidity is important to avoid frond burning, browning of the tips.

It has recieved the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit