Choose Hay-Scented Fern for tough shaded ground you want covered quickly. Its main strength is aggressive spreading; the tradeoff is that it will not behave like a neat clump fern.
Buy This If
You need fast cover.
You like a natural look.
You have room to spread.
Skip This If
You want a tidy clump.
You dislike runners.
You plant many small perennials.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
B
It gives shaded ground a soft woodland look, but the effect is more natural than showy.
Growth Rate
A
This is a strong spreader and can fill open ground faster than many clump-forming ferns.
Maintenance
B-
It is not fussy once settled, but controlling its spread may take occasional editing.
Deer Resistance
C
Do not count on this as a strong deer-resistant planting in high-pressure areas.
Small Space Fit
D
Its spreading habit makes it a poor fit for tight beds or controlled borders.
Screening Value
F
This is groundcover, not a plant for blocking views or creating privacy.
Compare It To
Christmas Fern (#1)
Choose Christmas Fern (#1) for a neater, more controlled fern; choose Hay-Scented Fern (#1) when you want a larger shaded area to knit together.
Lady Fern (#1)
Choose Lady Fern (#1) for a softer clump in a garden bed; choose Hay-Scented Fern (#1) for naturalizing where spread is welcome.
The King Ostrich Fern (aka Fiddlehead Fern) (#1)
Choose The King Ostrich Fern (aka Fiddlehead Fern) (#1) for taller fern massing; choose Hay-Scented Fern (#1) for lower groundcover that runs.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd use this where you want a colony, not a tidy specimen; give it room and avoid mixing it into small perennial beds.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
18–24 in
Mature Width
Spreading colony
Hardiness Zones
3a-7b
Spacing
18–24 in spacing (will fill in aggressively)
Sun
Part Shade to Shade
Moisture
Average to moist
Growth Habit
spreading
Customers Usually Ask
Will it stay in one clump?
No, it spreads and should be planted where that is useful.
Is the hay scent strong?
It is light and most noticeable when the foliage is brushed or crushed.
Can it handle difficult shade?
Yes, that is one of the main reasons to use it.
Why Add Ferns to Your Landscape?
Perfect for Shade Gardens: Ferns thrive in partial to full shade, making them ideal for woodland and foundation plantings.
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Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
