Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’

Description

Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’ is a lovely trunk forming fern appearing when mature like a mini tree fern, originating from the warm moist forests of Fiji and the Pacific islands where it grows as an understorey plant amongst the giant trees. For us this means Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’ is a useful fern for a shady position indoors or in a shady conservatory even happy outdoors during the warmer months where it will tolerate temperatures down to 10 degrees centigrade. As with most ferns Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’ likes moist compost but not standing in water, I’d recommend standing on a tray with gravel to aid humidity. A monthly feed of dilute seaweed fertiliser helps keep it happy  along with an annual repot using ericaceous compost. If possible rainwater is prefered but here at our nursery they seem to get by on whatever comes out of the tap.

In the wild Blechnum gibbum ‘Silver Lady’ can reach 120cm high with a spread almost the same, i’ve never seen one that big here but perhaps use this as an incentive. Oh and I should point out that ‘Silver Lady’ is reputidly more silver than the species but to me they look the same, a nice fresh green.