The plants are beautiful and delivery happened so quickly. Will order from them again.
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Hay-Scented Fern (1 Gallon)
Hay-Scented Fern (1 Gallon)
$24.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Quantity
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.
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 | 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. |
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. 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.
Plant Facts
| 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. |
Customers Usually Ask
Will it stay in one clump?
No, it spreads and should be planted where that is useful.
Can I use it for wetland or buffer restoration?
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.
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 buy for fall color
- See the actual color before you buy it
- Foliage, berries and late bloom — all three seasons of interest
- Fall planting means roots established before winter
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
SKU:PGNE-43005
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