Ferns🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -25°C

Narrow buckler-fern

Name: Narrow buckler-fern (Phegopteris connectilis)
Brand: HSMN Planten
SKU: 6a8b54645e18c5d0b30524bf

Phegopteris connectilis

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Long Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis) is a small, native fern with soft green, triangular fronds. The lower pinnae typically point diagonally downwards. The species can form loose groups via thin, creeping rhizomes. The fern grows in cool, moist, and low-calcium locations in forests, along spring brooks, ditches, and shaded slopes. The fronds die back in autumn. High humidity and an undisturbed layer of humus are essential.

Specific care needed

Keep the location cool, acidic, humus-rich, and constantly moist. Do not use lime or strong fertilizers. Leave natural leaf litter and avoid digging or hoeing around the rhizomes.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
🍂Has autumn colour

Pruning period

✂️Best pruning period: Feb–Mar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
✂️ Pruning period

Best pruning period

Leave dead foliage in place during winter and do not disturb the thin rhizomes.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Half shade, Shade

Soil type: Sand, Loam, Peat, Humus-rich

Moisture need: Moist

pH: Acidic (<5.5), Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5)

Nutrient richness: Nutrient-poor, Moderately nutrient-rich

Humus content: Moderately humus-rich, Humus-rich, Peaty

Water drainage: Well draining, Moisture-retentive

Appearance & season

Mature height: 15-40cm

Bloom: Niet van toepassing

Autumn colour: Yellow-green to brown before the foliage dies off.

Properties

Salt sensitive: Yes

Edible: No

Do not consume or harvest from the wild.

Scent: No striking scent. The leaf has a soft green and earthy scent.

Creeping rhizome: Yes

This fern has a creeping rhizome that can spread underground — give it room or keep it in check with a root barrier.

Ecological value

The fronds are used by small fern-feeders and offer living space for beetles, spiders, snails, and other forest floor animals. The loose groups protect the moist humus layer from desiccation. Fungi and soil organisms decompose the dead leaves. Birds can search for small invertebrates among the plants. The species is an important indicator of cool, moist, and ecologically valuable forest environments.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsUseful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesLimited

🪰 HoverfliesUseful

🦋 ButterfliesUseful

🪲 Beetles & insectsVery useful

🐦 BirdsUseful

🐿️ MammalsUseful

🐞 Other animalsVery useful

Long beech fern primarily supports the food web of cool and moist forest floors. Small insects, snails, and spiders use the fronds and humus layer. Birds benefit indirectly, while larger mammals receive little direct nutritional value.

Distribution in the Netherlands