Blechnum brasiliense Volcano - Red Brazilian Tree Fern

Blechnum brasiliense 'Volcano', is a new selection of the Brazilian fern remarkably coloured due to its young bright fronds that remain long coloured red-purple on a mature foliage of an insolent spring green. This architectural plant develops a sort of small trunk surmounted by a bouquet of large flexible fronds, cut into thin and undulating segments of the most beautiful effect. Of tropical origin, this fern can withstand temperatures below zero that will scorch its foliage but will not kill the plant.  It thrives in partial shade or shade, in a constantly moist soil, rich in humus, even slightly calcareous. Its modest development is perfectly suited for cultivation in a large pot to decorate the veranda or terrace in the summer.

Blechnum brasiliense (synonym corcovadense) is a plant of the Blechnaceae family native to high-altitude tropical forests found in Brazil. Its natural habitat is mainly composed of wet places, where rainfall is abundant and regular and where the climate is almost constant throughout the year. It is a species of relatively slow growth, which requires a humid atmosphere, but tolerates a little limestone in the soil if it is humiferous and light.

This beautiful selection 'Volcano' develops over time a rather short and sturdy false trunk, called a stipe. It is actually made up of a thick upright rootstock covered with dried adventitious roots. The foliage, composed of fronds, forms from buds located towards the upper part of the stipe. It persists more or less in winter, and will be destroyed from 0°C (32°F), the trunk supporting up to about -5°C (23°F). At the age of 10, this fern will reach about 1.50m (5ft) in height and 1m (3ft) in width. It is mainly in spring and early summer that appear, in the centre of the mature foliage, its young shoots strongly tinged with red. Rolled up in croziers, they slowly unfold, while gradually turning green, creating a magnificent mix of colours in the foliage. The fronds of the 'Volcano' fern are arranged in a spreading rosette. Each one, which measures up to 60cm (24in) long, is divided into pairs of somewhat leathery, narrow and long pinnules, with undulating edges.

In mild and humid climates, plant this magnificent fern in an exotic garden, in a prominent place to be able to admire it as often as possible, but provide it with the partial shade of an undergrowth and a constantly moist humus soil to keep it for many years. It is also a very romantic plant, perfect for decorating the surroundings of a small waterfall in a Japanese-style flowerbed. It is also a very pretty plant for a temperate greenhouse or a slightly heated veranda. As it appreciates a high level of humidity, the Blechnum brasiliense 'Volcano'  will adapt well in a bathroom or kitchen (beware of too frequent drafts). Associate it with shorter ferns as well as other beautiful shade-loving plants such as Rodgersia or hostas for example.