Hay Scented Fern

Name: Hay Scented Fern
Brand: TN Nursery
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Buy 1, Get 1 FREE - Add 1 to your cart, and we'll automatically send the second one FREE!Bulk pricing applied. Free plant offer is only on the Buy 1 Get 1 Free option.

$7.99

$4.00 each 2 plants (buy 1, get 1 free)

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Planting & Growing Information

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Planting Zone

3-8

Height at Maturity

Under 2 Feet

Water Needs

Low and Moderate

Sun or Shade

Full sun and Partial shade

Bloom Season

Spring

Care

Hay-scented fern flourishes in well-drained, moist soil. It’s resilient to varying soil conditions but prefers a consistently damp environment. Regular watering is essential, particularly in dry spells. Provide good air circulation around the fern to control fungal issues.

Exposure

Hay Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers a relaxed, moist environment with filtered light or dappled shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or shaded areas with adequate moisture.

Plant Attributes

Captivating aroma & lush foliage , Shade tolerance & low maintenance, Deer resistance & soil erosion control

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Scan to watch the quick scratch test we use to check trees, ferns, and perennials the moment they arrive.

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Planting & Growing Information

Ships

Ships Now

Planting Zone

3-8

Height at Maturity

Under 2 Feet

Water Needs

Low and Moderate

Sun or Shade

Full sun and Partial shade

Bloom Season

Spring

Care

Hay-scented fern flourishes in well-drained, moist soil. It’s resilient to varying soil conditions but prefers a consistently damp environment. Regular watering is essential, particularly in dry spells. Provide good air circulation around the fern to control fungal issues.

Exposure

Hay Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) thrives in partial to full shade. It prefers a relaxed, moist environment with filtered light or dappled shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or shaded areas with adequate moisture.

Plant Attributes

Captivating aroma & lush foliage , Shade tolerance & low maintenance, Deer resistance & soil erosion control

Featured Reviews

4.6 (27 reviews) View all reviews See all

Cassandra Johnson

Love this mail order nursery they are very careful with mail order and the plants are healthy

Christopher Zirbel

I ordered as a BOGO. Got 2 extra. Very pleased with the packaging and shipping as well! Great experience

Rick Long

Arrived on time and ready to plant. Bare root, but some are already coming up. I don't expect much out of the until next spring, so I'm looking forward to that.

About this plant

Hay Scented Fern Details

Hay-scented Fern - Dennstaedtia Punctilobula

Hay Scented Fern, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, is known for its sweet scent of freshly cut hay, which volatilizes when it is crushed or dried. The scent is particularly noticeable in late summer. Imagine drinking a tea on your deck, feeling the warm summer breeze pass by, accented by the sweet smell of these charming ferns. Add this to this list of life’s little highlights.

Here is what the plants will look like when you receive them - they do look like sticks. Look at the video to see tops - these will be big, beautiful, mature plants in the Spring.

Known for its Lime Green Foliage

Known for its bright, seemingly fluorescent, lime green foliage, the Hay scented fern grows up to 2 ft tall and 3 ft wide. It is fast-growing and will cover wide swaths of land quickly. It forms colonies of lush fronds in no time, creating a beautiful groundcover for your shaded garden or woodland.

Hay Scented Fern Plant Details

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

Hardiness Zones: 3–8

Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Sun

Water Needs: Moderate

Height: 1.5 - 3 ft

Spread: 3 ft

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: NA

Flower Color: NA

Wildlife Value: Offers ground cover for wildlife

The gently scalloped pinnae of this fern’s fronds are delicate and lace-like. When in mass, these fronds create a dense groundcover that is soft and inviting. Given the elegance of its fronds, this fern makes a beautiful addition to a cut flower arrangement.

The Hay Scented Fern is deciduous. In the autumn, its fronds turn from neon green to rust brown, adding another accent color to the landscape and simultaneously encouraging you to look forward to warming months. When the fronds unravel in spring, they emerge in the most delicate and feathery coil, adding a playful tenderness to the gardenscape.

Landscape Uses and Maintenance

This fern is virtually pest and disease-free and easy to maintain. It grows best in full to part shade in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. However, it will grow across a range of soil conditions, even nutrient-poor substrates. Propagate this fern by rhizome division or sowing the spores.

Once established, Hay Scented Fern provides ample protection and cover for wildlife. Plant this fern in a shady location of your garden upwind from your favorite sitting area so you can enjoy its rich, hay-like scent.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Hay-like scent, dense ground cover, easy to maintain. The visually stunning fern, with its delightful olfactory appeal, is a must-have in your garden or woodland landscape. Shop for the Hay Scented Fern online. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.

Below are the same plants; these "sticks" will be the following Spring after they are planted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, hay-scented ferns spread easily through underground rhizomes. They form lush green colonies that fill shaded areas beautifully. Their soft texture and pleasant scent make them a lovely, low-maintenance choice for natural ground cover.

Hay-scented ferns grow best in partial to full shade but can also tolerate some sun. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil and adapt easily to different garden conditions. Their versatility makes them an excellent choice for woodland or shaded landscapes.

Deer typically avoid hay-scented ferns because of their texture and fragrance. This makes them an excellent choice for deer-resistant landscaping. They thrive easily while keeping their lush green beauty untouched by wildlife.

Root system of a plant on soil with a trowel nearby

Why Buy Bare Root Plants From TN Nursery?

Since 1959, TN Nursery has grown and shipped quality bare root plants nationwide. Shipped during dormancy, bare-root plants develop strong root systems and establish quickly. Our experienced team carefully harvests and packages every order, providing growers with trusted plants backed by over 65 years of nursery experience.

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Lovely Fragrance:

Hay Scented Fern emits a delightful hay-like scent when brushed or crushed, adding a pleasant aroma to your garden.

Deer Resistant:

These ferns are naturally deer-resistant, ensuring your garden remains undisturbed by these animals.

Natural Ground Cover:

These ferns spread rapidly, making them an excellent ground cover for shady areas, preventing soil erosion.

Attractive Foliage:

The delicate, feathery fronds create a lush, green carpet that adds texture and beauty to any landscape.

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Product Highlight

5 stars: 17 (63%)
4 stars: 10 (37%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

I love my Hay Scented Fern! It filled in beautifully and gives my garden such a soft, lush look. I’m so happy with how well it’s grown

Mine grew good

Mine grew good.

Hay-Scented Ferns Thrive Beautifully

The Hay-Scented Ferns from TN Nursery are outstanding. They are flourishing in my shady slope, preventing erosion while adding beautiful greenery. Every plant was carefully packaged and arrived in top condition. I will definitely be ordering more.

Wonderful Ferns for Landscaping Projects

TN Nursery’s Hay-Scented Ferns exceeded my expectations. They spread quickly, provide excellent ground cover, and have a fresh, delicate appearance that makes my landscape feel more natural. They shipped well and settled into my yard with ease.

Healthy Hay-Scented Ferns for My Garden

I am thrilled with my order of Hay-Scented Ferns from TN Nursery. They are healthy, full, and growing vigorously in my garden beds. Their soft, green fronds create a welcoming look that I enjoy every day. Highly recommend TN Nursery for reliable plants.

Hay-Scented Fern Adds Natural Elegance

The Hay-Scented Ferns I purchased from TN Nursery are gorgeous. They add elegance and lush greenery to my landscape while thriving with very little maintenance. TN Nursery’s quality and care in shipping really impressed me.

Beautiful Ferns That Thrive in Shade

I love the Hay-Scented Ferns I received from TN Nursery. They are thriving in my shaded backyard and add an airy, soft texture that brightens the space. Every plant was strong and healthy when delivered, and they established quickly after planting.

Perfect Ground Cover with Hay-Scented Fern

The Hay-Scented Ferns from TN Nursery are the best ground cover plants I’ve purchased. They spread beautifully, giving my woodland garden a natural, layered appearance. I was impressed with how well they were packaged and how healthy they looked upon arrival.

Vibrant Hay-Scented Ferns from TN Nursery

I ordered Hay-Scented Ferns from TN Nursery, and they arrived fresh, green, and ready to plant. They quickly filled out my shady garden area with lush, feathery fronds. These ferns give a soft, natural look and have adapted perfectly to my soil. TN Nursery always delivers quality.

Too early to tell

I received my bare roots, was looking for some guidance on how to plant. Thought there would be info of that sort with order.
I did get them in the ground and watered.
Look forward to seeing the ferns pop up in late spring. Not sure when they’ll show themselves. Advice ?

Great quality and Directions

Love this mail order nursery they are very careful with mail order and the plants are healthy

Hay Scented Fern

I ordered as a BOGO. Got 2 extra. Very pleased with the packaging and shipping as well! Great experience

One of my favorite ferns.

Arrived on time and ready to plant. Bare root, but some are already coming up. I don't expect much out of the until next spring, so I'm looking forward to that.

Hay scented fern

I have had great success with buying bare root native plants from TN Nursery. I look forward to continued success as these germs sprout and eventually spread.

Pending

Received healthy root segments
Have to wait and see what spring brings

Pending

Received healthy root segments
Have to wait and see what spring brings

HAY SCENTED FERN

These ferns are great quality and very pretty!

Thank you for the awesome review, Mila. We are so pleased to hear it is working just as it should and that you are enjoying it so much!

Ferns arrived promptly, a few day earlier. Dormant

due to very cool nights, I have not planted them yet.

I’m happy with the purchase!

Thank you! I received and planted the ferns! Can’t wait to see them grow!

Last order

Really pleased with plants, but wish som instructions on what to do with moss and water lily.

Hearing how much you love our plants has brightened up our day! Thank you for the great review you left us, Nancy, and for choosing to shop with us!

Hay Scented Fern

Roots were in good shape for planting.

Hay Scented Fern

Looks great in my gardens! Very pleased with this plant.

Must have

Very pretty fern and smells good too

Needs work

I had to pick my plants out from what looked like weeds, but so far they are growing and doing good. Time will tell

Healthy and growing

They are healthy and growing well

Gets my vote!

Was skeptical at first from ordering online but I am so impressed I am working on another order now!

Great

Customer service gets 5stars