Blechnum penna marina

Latin Name Blechnum penna marina

Common Name penna marina, Alpine fern

Alpine water fern. New Zealand native fern that is a cold hardy, low to ground fern. Has a creeping rhizome and is quite fast growing. Will tolerate frost and full sun. Has a nice pinkish touch to new fronds.

There are two sub species a North Island penna marina and a South Island variety - latter is distinctive by being more purplish, tighter and smaller frond  than its North Island cousin which stays greener and has slightly larger fronds.

A great fern around rockeries.