Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 6b |
|---|---|
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | spreading |
| Mature height | 6 inches |
| Spread | 24 inches |
| Light requirements | partial shade to shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | import |
Peacock Spikemoss
Botanical name: Selaginella uncinata
A very attractive fern relative that produces a large mat of dimorphic, metallic blue fan-like leaves, creating interesting colorful contrasts in the garden; perfect for shaded moist areas.
Other names: Arborvitae Fern, Clubmoss
Ornamental Features
Peacock Spikemoss' attractive ferny leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning steel blue in color the rest of the year. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Peacock Spikemoss is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Peacock Spikemoss is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Rock/Alpine Gardens, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover
Planting and Growing
Peacock Spikemoss will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.
