Asplenium scolopendrium

Hart's Tongue Fern

Asplenium scolopendrium is an evergreen European fern with a tropical feel, perfect for spicing up the shady border, winter garden, cottage garden, or container with its strappy, bright green fronds that stay lovely and lush all year round. A winner of the coveted Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society for its low maintenance, compact habit and outstanding, long-lasting performance in the garden. The centipede-like brown sori on the undersides of the fronds give this plant its specific epithet, which comes from the Greek term “skolopenda” to describe the creepy-crawlies. Meanwhile, its common name, Hart’s Tongue Fern, refers to the apparent resemblance of the wavy, strappy fronds to a deer’s tongue (a “hart” is a red male deer, also called a “stag”, that is generally older than five years of age). Tolerant of heavy shade, rabbits, and deer browsing.