Asparagus Fern, Common asparagus fern, Plumosa Fern
Asparagus setaceus

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Asparagus setaceus is an evergreen Climber growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Mainly found in moist forests from Southern Cape province to Natal and north to Malawi.

S. Africa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young shoots. No more details are given but it is likely that they are cooked and used like asparagus.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore. Easily grown in any good garden soil. Prefers a rich sandy loam. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given a warm sheltered position. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Protasparagus setaceus. (Kunth.)Oberm.