Hay-scented fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

What it is like

Dennstaedtia punctilobula is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Found in forest edges and canopy openings, along the sides of trails and roads, on hillsides, stream banks, and rocky slopes, and in meadows and old fields in part shade to full shade from sea level up to 1,200 m altitude..

Native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Wisconsin and Arkansas, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Alabama.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

USA

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Groundcover: Works well as a groundcover for shaded areas. Grows with a low to medium coverage density, but will quickly take over large areas and isn't advised for small gardens. Wildlife Habitat: ay scented fern provides good cover for wildlife when growing in large colonies. Ornamental: Lacy triangular fronds. Light green during summer turning shades of yellow/copper during autumn. Aromatics/Fragrance: The fronds emit a scent reminiscent of hay or cut grass when they are brushed, bruised, or crushed. A good fern for naturalizing in woodland areas, shade gardens, cottage gardens or wild areas.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Ground Cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

A temperate fern. Sun: Partial Shade, Shade. Soil Type: Sandy, Loamy, Silty, Clay. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor rocky soils and, once well established, dry soils. Soil pH: 4.5 - 6.8. Soil Moisture: Moderate, Dry. Grows best in rich, humus soils. Can tolerate full sun if given enough moisture. Spreads aggressively. One of the first ferns to colonize after fire. Growth Rate: Fast. Life Span: Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence: Long. Form: Clump. Texture: Medium. Root Type: Rhizome. Fungal Types: Endomycorrhizal. Seasonal Interest: Spring-Summer. USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8. Drought: Tolerant. Flood: Moderate. Salt: Moderate. Soil Compaction: Tolerant. Mowing: Intolerant. Fire Damage: Moderate. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Wind Storm Damage: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Animal Damage: Deer, Rabbits. In this ecological community, you'll typically see Hay-scented Ferns growing among wildflowers such as goldenrods, hawkweeds, dandelions, Oldfield Cinquefoil, Common Evening Primrose, Field Chickweed, New England Aster, and Queen Anne's Lace. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length .

Propagating it: Propagate by spores or rhizome division. Cut rhizomes between fronds, set apart and trim back at least half of each frond.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Fern

Hardiness: 3-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Quickly take over large areas and isn't advised for small gardens.

Its other names

Local names

Eastern hayscented fern, Hay-scented fern

Synonyms

Aspidium punctilobum (Michx.) Sw. D. punctilobula f. punctilobula. Nephrodium punctilobum Michx. Sitobolium punctilobum (Michx.) Desv.