Bare Root Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)

Hardy, deciduous, North American perennial
Description: Lacy, fine textured, light green, triangular fronds release a scent when fresh or dry like newly mown hay
Habit: Upright to arching fronds grow 12-36 inches high; clump forming, spreads vigorously by underground running roots
Culture: Prefers partial to full shade and moist, humus-rich woodland loam, but also tolerates full sun and dry soil once established
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 3

This colony-forming fern is native to woodlands, both shady and open, and damp slopes in most of Eastern North America.

During the 18th century ferns often were used to pack plants and fruits for shipping. Writing to James Madison from France in 1785, Thomas Jefferson mentioned an encounter with a man in the country “cutting fern;” this man told Jefferson that fruit packed in straw “acquired an ill taste, but that dry fern preserved it perfectly without communicating any taste at all.”

The Hayscented Fern naturalizes quickly and is not desirable to deer or rabbits.

This plant will ship bare root.

Bare root planting tips:

~ If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center.

~ Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery.

~ Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.