Hay-Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)
[den-STET-ee-ah punk-tih-LOBE-yew-lah]

Deciduous Perennial Spreading, Colony-Forming in the Dennstaedtiaceae Family
A native woodland fern with finely-textured, light green fronds and a sweet, hay-like scent when crushed.

Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) is a native North American woodland fern grown for its soft, finely-divided, light green fronds and the sweet, hay-like fragrance it releases when brushed or crushed. It spreads by creeping rhizomes to form dense, carpeting colonies 12-24in tall, making it a fast, low-maintenance groundcover for shady sites where little else will establish, including poor, rocky, or dry soil once it's settled in. Deciduous, with no showy bloom, it earns its place through texture and fragrance rather than flowers.

Pros

  • Fast-spreading groundcover for difficult shady sites where little else thrives
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Releases a pleasant, hay-like fragrance when fronds are brushed or crushed
  • Tolerates poor, rocky, or dry soil once established

Cons

  • Spreads aggressively by rhizomes and can be difficult to contain in small spaces
  • Fronds decline and look ragged by late summer, especially in hot climates
  • Non-flowering, so offers no bloom or pollinator interest
Why Like

A tough, adaptable native fern for filling in difficult shady spots where little else thrives, including dry or rocky soil once established. Deer and rabbit resistant, and useful for erosion control on shaded slopes. Its dense colonies can also help suppress weeds and tree seedlings in a naturalized woodland setting.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 24 - 48 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Dry
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Dry, Full Shade, Full Sun, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant
Bloom Period Non-flowering
Flower Color Non-Flowering
Foliage Color
 

More Info from Experts

Photos of This with...

Daylily, The Rocket Narrow-spiked Ligularia,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 05/01 - 05/18
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!