TL
Family
Dennstaedtiaceae
Botanical Name
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Plant Common Name
Hayscented Fern
General Description
This rapidly spreading, sun-tolerant fern inhabits clearings and open woodlands in eastern and central North America, often forming large colonies. Its common name refers to the hay-like scent of its lacy, yellow-green fronds.
Light green fiddleheads arise from slender underground rhizomes in spring, soon unfurling into upright, triangular fronds. The bipinnately compound fronds are divided into approximately 20 pairs of segments (pinnae) which are themselves divided into pinnules. The frond's central stem (rachis) is yellow-brown and slightly hairy. Tiny round spore cases (sori) are borne at the pinnules' margins in summer. The fronds wither and turn bronze-brown in fall, their shriveled remains often persisting until spring.
Grow hayscented fern in humus-rich, acidic soil in full to partial sun. Plantings in full sun require moist soil. Although not well suited to formal landscapes, this aggressively spreading fern does have merit as a groundcover for naturalistic shade gardens. It contains compounds that render it unpalatable to herbivores and that inhibit the growth of neighboring plants.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
-
Plant Type
Fern
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
-
Height
15"-30" / 38.1cm - 76.2cm
-
Width
3'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m
-
Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, Canada
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic
-
Soil Drainage
Average
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Thicket/Colonizing
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
None
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Yellow Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Yellow Green
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Yellow Green, Bronze
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
Yes
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Fine
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
No
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Container, Groundcover
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
Sometimes
-
Self-Sowing
Yes
