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Cheilanthes lanosa Cimbra - Hairy Lip Fern

Cheilanthes lanosa Cimbra
Hairy Lip Fern, Woolly Lip Fern

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An amazing fern, with decorative fronds that have a wooly appearance and silver highlights, which grows in the sun under challenging conditions of heat and drought. It doesn't tolerate winter humidity very well, but it is resistant to cold weather. Its foliage is evergreen. It can be grown in flower beds, on a wall, or in a rock garden in the sun and in well-drained soil.
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
30 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to April, September to October
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Description

Cheilanthes lanosa 'Cimbra' is a variety of this small evergreen fern that will grow in difficult conditions of heat and drought. It is very resistant to cold, but less so to humidity. Its 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) long fronds, are very hairy and have a fresh green colour with silver highlights. The pinnae are loose. The species is native to arid regions of the United States and Mexico. It can be grown in borders or rock gardens exposed to the sun, in well-drained soil.

Cheilanthes lanosa is a perennial fern belonging to the Pteridaceae family, native to the Southwest of the United States and Mexico. It grows on cliffs and rocky hillsides where it has adapted to extreme heat and aridity. This drought resistance is characterised by the silver hairs that cover the fronds, which capture morning dew and limit evapotranspiration during the day. Its species name, lanosa, means woolly in Latin and highlights the hairiness of the fronds. Cheilanthes lanosa 'Cimbra' forms a tuft that reaches a height and width of about 30 cm (12in) and persists throughout winter. The brown petioles carry fresh green fronds with silver highlights on the upper surface, while the reproductive cells (sori), arranged on the lower surface, are rust-coloured. Hardy down to -15°C (5°F).

Cheilanthes lanosa 'Cimbra' is best planted in spring, in well-drained and fertile, rocky, slightly acidic or neutral soil, in full sun or light shade. This plant does not tolerate excessive moisture during winter. It may be wise to grow it in a pot with well-draining substrate to protect it from intense winter rains. The dried fronds can be pruned in early spring. It thrives in a rock garden or on a wall and it pairs well with blue fescue grass, in terms of requirements and colour.

Although these ferns belong to a genus that is widespread worldwide, almost all of them are of tropical origin. 

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green
Foliage description Evergreen foliage in optimal exposure and soil conditions.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Cheilanthes

Species

lanosa

Cultivar

Cimbra

Family

Pteridaceae

Other common names

Hairy Lip Fern, Woolly Lip Fern

Origin

Central America

Planting and care

Cheilanthes lanosa 'Cimbra' should be planted in spring, exposed to the sun or with a slight shade, in a well-drained and fertile, rocky, slightly acidic or neutral soil. This plant does not tolerate excessive moisture during winter, so it may be a good idea to grow it in a pot (with well-draining substrate) to protect it from unfavourable winter conditions.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time February to April, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 7 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, very well-draining

Care

Pruning instructions Cut back dried fronds in spring.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time February to March
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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