Hay-scented Fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Bright lime-green lacy fronds release a fresh-cut hay scent when bruised. Spreads aggressively by rhizomes into solid groundcover — overwhelms wildflowers if not contained. Excellent for difficult dry shade slopes.
- Family
- Dennstaedtiaceae
- Type
- fern
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 1.5–2 ft
- Spacing
- 2–3 ft apart
- Light
- part shade, shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic, neutral
- Landscape uses
- erosion control, naturalizing
- Native states
- 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