| SUN | SOIL MOISTURE | HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
to 18" |
| BLOOM | USDA ZONES | BLOOM COLOR |
|---|---|---|
|
Hay Scented Fern is a common sight in Appalachian areas where it can form large colonies by underground rhizomes. The hay scent is most pronounced when the stem or frond is crushed. Adaptable to a wide variety of growing conditions we have observed the fronds waving in the slightest of breezes in the Cook Forest State Park area in western Pennsylvania. Somewhat deer resistant, HSF begins to decline in the heat of summer unless adequate moisture is provided. No serious problems with pests or disease. According to the literature, Hay Scented Fern occurs sparingly in states outside of Appalachia.
Hay Scented Fern is a vigorous, soft textured native fern known for its bright green fronds and the sweet, freshly cut hay fragrance released when the foliage is brushed or crushed. Its ability to form lush colonies makes it a standout for naturalized woodland edges, slopes, and shaded landscapes where a light, feathery texture is desired.
Hay Scented Fern creates airy, finely divided fronds that form spreading colonies through shallow rhizomes. Lacy, triangular fronds of light green turn golden in fall. It emerges in spring and foliage persists until frost. Overall height at 18-30 inches.
Its soft, billowing habit pairs beautifully with sturdier woodland plants like Christmas fern, foamflower, and wild ginger.
Hay Scented Fern is especially effective for covering large areas, stabilizing slopes, and creating a natural woodland ground layer.
Provides shelter for ground dwelling insects and small woodland creatures. While not a primary larval host, some fern feeding moths—particularly species in the Idia genus—may utilize ferns like Dennstaedtia as part of their diet. Its pleasant scent made it a traditional choice for stuffing bedding or lining storage baskets in some folk practices.
Its ability to quickly naturalize has made it a familiar presence in eastern North American forests.
| Unreported | |
 | Unreported (Absent for area) |
| Native | |
 | Native in state (NA Native and Present in state, but not Present in county) |
 | Native in state and Present in county (NA Native and Present in state, and Present in county) |
 | Rare in state and Present in county (NA Native and Rare in state, and Present in county) |
 | Extirpated/Historic in state/Native (NA Native and Reported in county) |
 | Adventive or Introduced state (NA Native and Adventive in state, and Present in county) |
| Exotic Occurrences | |
 | Exotic in state (Exotic and Present in state, but not Present in county) |
 | Exotic in state and Present in county (Exotic and Present in state, and Present in county) |
| Other | |
 | Noxious in state (Noxious in state, and Present in county) |
 | Questionable Presence (cross-hatched) |
At home in a variety of conditions including moist, shady soils that are rich in organic matter. Once established this fern can be grown successfully in dryer conditions. Underground rhizomes serve to extend the reach of this species which can form a large colony if given adequate conditions. It can even be grown in brighter areas provided there is enough moisture.
Please note that Riverside Native Perennials (RNP) only ships our potted “35” product via USPS, UPS or FedEx. We generally can have your plants boxed up and ready to go within two or three days. All other products including our flat of plugs, 1-gallon and 3-gallon containers are only available for nursery pick up in Delaware, OH. For large orders of any of our products we can arrange shipping at an extra cost. Please contact the nursery for additional information.
It’s important to note that when we send plants to you, presentation is everything! We recognize that you’re expecting healthy plants to arrive safely on your doorstep ready to be planted and that is what we’re selling. Further, we want you to know that while we are a fully licensed and inspected perennial nursery in the state of Ohio…we are in Ohio! That means we are subject to Ohio weather. The average frost-free date for our area is May 15. So even though you may live in Florida or California your plants are growing under Ohio conditions and we do not heat our greenhouses due to the expense. Our plants may be slightly delayed but again it’s because we’re in a Zone 5 area. Because we ship nationwide, we ship plants at all times of the year. If it’s winter in Ohio, you’ll be getting dormant plants. If it’s spring or summer in Ohio, you’ll be getting plants of various sizes that are actively growing. Plants shipped during fall in Ohio may be dormant or may be heading towards dormancy. This is all natural and we do not try to modify or prolong the growing season other than to grow them in an unheated greenhouse. Even in an unheated greenhouse our plants are much further along and growing well early in the spring than if they were planted outside in Zone 5. If you would like additional information about sizes for a particular species, please contact us via email.
In 2021 RNP partnered with a shipping professional to design and develop a shipping system that could reasonably be expected to survive the USPS mail room and transportation process. After several design sessions and going back to the drawing board on more than a couple of occasions we created a shipping box system that, to us, is bulletproof. It is strong, lightweight and, to date, has not failed in shipping thousands of packages of plants to all corners of the country.
Once selected from our greenhouse benches, your plants are placed into a small plastic bag to maintain moisture during shipping. To keep the soil in the pot we created a cardboard insert that perfectly fits into the top of our 35 containers. The insert has a cutout that surrounds to plant stem without damaging it. The plastic bag and insert are secured by two rubber bands. Each bagged plant is then placed into an individual corrugated cardboard box which perfectly fits the 35 container, and which locks it in place so that it will not move during transit. Four individual boxes are then placed into another, even heavier duty corrugated cardboard master shipping box. The whole effect is that of double boxing your plants. They are safe and secure for the long trip to your home landscape!
The system only works with 4 individual boxes being packed into a single master shipping box so we encourage you to buy four plants or a multiple of four plants. You can buy less than four plants but we will need to send all the cardboard for four plants in order for the shipping system to succeed as designed.
