- Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 24 - 30 Inches
- Mature Spread 24 - 30 Inches
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
The Hay Scented Fern or Dennstaedtia punctilobula may look delicate, but this hardy fern is a landscape workhorse. Large feathery fronds have a central midrib with alternating pinna. The foliage is a yellow-green hue, giving it a distinct look. This fern is aggressive, so plant it in an area where it can overtake and avoid planting with less assertive plants.
Feature this stunner as a groundcover or use in a woodland-inspired garden. This fern is deciduous and earns its name because it smells like freshly mowed hay if crushed. This plant grows from rhizomes, which spread out under the ground, so it will quickly fill in an area all on its own. This lush beauty is native to the eastern U.S. and grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8. The fronds repel deer, so feature this plant along a property line or near a garden to discourage deer from dropping by.
Hay Scented Fern Care
This shade-loving fern needs full to partial shade, so choose a spot that receives no more than 4 hours of sunlight. Plant in moist, well-drained soil that is acidic and water when the soil starts to dry out.
Feed the plant using a fish emulsion fertilizer if the fronds look washed out or pale. Remove dead or damaged growth as needed. All of the greenery will die back after the first frost. Thin the plants out as needed by removing dense growth.
Hay Scented Fern Spacing
The Hay Scented Fern will grow 24 to 30 inches tall and 30 to 36 inches wide. Space plants at least 18 inches apart, although if you give the plants more room, these ferns will fill that area in no time.
Hay Scented Fern Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 24 - 30 Inches |
Mature Spread: 30 - 36 Inches |
Spacing: 30 - 36 Inches |
Habit: Spreading |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green, Yellow |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
Attracts: N/A |
Container Role: |
Uses: Groundcovers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Hay Scented Fern |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: DENNSTAEDTIA PUNCTILOBULA |
- SKU:
- 1231003958-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
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Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.