Interrupted Fern
Osmunda claytoniana
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states
Interrupted fern is an elegant native fern with distinctive fertile fronds that have brown spore-bearing segments in the middle, giving it its common name. It forms attractive clumps in woodland gardens and shaded areas, with bright green fronds that turn golden yellow in fall before dying back for winter.
In an HOA neighborhood
Interrupted Fern is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- Goes completely dormant in winter leaving bare ground
Wildlife value
This fern provides shelter and nesting material for small wildlife and birds. The dense fronds offer cover for salamanders, toads, and other woodland creatures.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Interrupted Fern fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.