| 1–5 | — | $25.00 ea |
|---|---|---|
| 6-11 | 10% off | $22.50 ea |
| 12-23 | 20% off | $20.00 ea |
| 24+ | 25% off | $18.75 ea |
22 in stock
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
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.
| 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 | A- | Deer rarely browse ferns, making this one of the more dependable choices where deer pressure is heavy. |
| 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. |
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. It is a genuinely useful plant for holding a dry shaded bank — but note it is an upland fern, so keep it out of the wet zone on buffer jobs.
| Botanical Name | Dennstaedtia punctilobula |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Hay-Scented Fern |
| Mature Height | 1.5-2 ft |
| Mature Width | 2-4 ft (colonizes further over time) |
| Hardiness Zones | 3a-7b |
| Spacing | 2-3 ft |
| Sun | Part Shade to Shade |
| Moisture | Average to moist |
| Growth Habit | Spreading, colonizing, arching fronds |
| Evergreen | No |
| Native | Yes (species native to New England/eastern US) |
| Best Used For | Erosion control on dry shaded banks • Fast native groundcover • Poor-soil woodland edges • Large naturalized areas |
| Wetland Indicator Status | UPL (Obligate Upland) — almost always occurs in non-wetlands. Despite its woodland reputation this is not a wetland plant; use it on dry upland ground. Source: USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List, Northcentral & Northeast region. |
No, it spreads and should be planted where that is useful.
Not in the wet zone. It carries a UPL rating on the USDA/USACE National Wetland Plant List, meaning it almost always occurs in non-wetlands. Use it on the dry upland side, or choose Cinnamon, Sensitive, or American Royal Fern for wet ground.
It is light and most noticeable when the foliage is brushed or crushed.
Yes, that is one of the main reasons to use it.
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43005
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They're very "leggy" right now but that's not unexpected in the fall. Otherwise, they look healthy, and we're looking forward to seeing them next year.
These look so good! They're nice and full and lush. Should be amazing next summer.
So far so good! Ordering was easy. So was pickup. We're looking forward to seeing how it does in the spring.
Showed up on time and planted it perfectly. I indicated a light we had to illuminate it and they placed it for optimal lighting. Worked fast and left a clean worksite. First rate!
Really great website, communication and installation. Very happy customer and would recommend them.
They delivered three trees: a big linden, a big poplar and a little spice bush with install on the big trees. The install guys were great and professional and fast. All the trees looked good with minimal damage.
I went up there today from Quincy MA to pick up two Blue Wichita Junipers and they were absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Chris and everybody from Pro Growers of New England!
The plants are beautiful and all 13 were consistent in height and width. And at a fraction of the cost of other garden centers. Having the team that delivered them do the planting was one of the best values I can think of. They did a great job from start to finish and even helped me with my watering system which they didn’t have to do!
