Deciduous Osmunda ferns are well-suited to water gardens or damp places. They are some of the largest garden ferns hardy in areas too cold to grow tree ferns. These are majestic plants—and majestic is a good choice of word, for the common names for Osmunda include royal fern and regal fern. Other common names include cinnamon fern and interrupted fern.

Old established Osmunda plants form large hummocks of woody rootstocks, from which arise in spring the new orange-brown stems. These become more yellow as they age. Being deciduous, the first frost transforms all above-ground growth into lovely shades of brick-red, which becomes fawn as winter approaches. These fawn leaves remain intact over winter, giving their own decorative appeal.

Osmunda regalis is probably the most imposing of any hardy fern. In a favourable, sheltered spot, a mature specimen can produce fronds that can be 3-4m long. However, in most gardens the fronds are far more likely to be 60cm in length—but still looking most impressive.