eastern hay-scented fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall2 to 3 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Herb , fern
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Not applicable
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Eastern hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) is a fern for ground cover, shade gardens, and rock gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Crush a frond or dry it and you will smell new mown hay. It is not a favorite of deer or rabbits, though hungry ones will eat almost anything. The soft, hairy fronds form large colonies.
Pairs well with Guacamole hosta, Eastern columbine, and Sedge.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 27 more places. See all 31
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV; NB, NL, NS, ON, and PE.