Hayscented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

American Beauties®

Fragrant Fronds Release Fresh Hay Scent When Brushed, Adding Sensory Delight to Woodland Gardens
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 3 ft Tall, 4 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant
Native Perennial

$38⁶⁴

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Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for dappled shade to full shade, providing about 2 to 4 hours of morning sun at most. While this fern can handle more sun than most, excessive direct afternoon light will bleach the vibrant green fronds to a pale yellow.
Soil: These ferns thrive in loose, acidic soil that stays consistently moist. If you have heavy clay that stays soggy, mix in organic compost or pine bark to create the "fluffy" texture these roots need to spread.

Watering Requirements

Water your new ferns twice a week during their first growing season to ensure the colony establishes a strong root system. Once mature, Hayscented Ferns are remarkably drought tolerant for a fern, though inconsistent moisture during summer dry spells will cause the foliage to brown and die back early. Think of consistent moisture as insurance for keeping that lush, green carpet look through the entire autumn.

Pruning Tips

Since this fern is deciduous and dies back to the ground in winter, pruning is essentially a spring cleanup. In late winter or very early spring, cut all the brown, dead fronds down to the soil level to make room for the new "fiddleheads" to emerge. This annual haircut prevents the old growth from smothering the new sprouts and keeps the patch looking tidy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a layer of organic compost in early spring just as new growth begins. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer season. Late-season feeding encourages tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost, leading to unnecessary winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts pollinators, Disease resistant, Edible, Fast-growing, Fragrant, Groundcover, Evergreen
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade, Shade
Height	3 ft
Width	4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Spreading, Upright
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Green
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Fern
Botanical Name	Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Species	punctilobula
Class	Polypodiopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Graceful, airy, and vibrant green, the Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) is a unique woodland plant with fragrant fronds. This hardy native has uniformly triangular leaves that are deeply cut leaflets, divided further into smaller leaflets yet!

Lovely light green to yellow-green, lush foliage carpet areas in both shade and sun. In fall, the fronds take on a russet golden hue and blend in with the autumn colors all around the shady areas of your garden! Spreading to form colonies of airy, upward arching fronds, Hayscented Fern fills dreary shaded corners with incredible lushness!

These easy-to-grow Ferns are highly rabbit and deer-resistant, these incredibly fast-growing, ground covers are tolerant in a wide range of conditions! Hardy throughout USDA planting zones 3 to 8, these perennial deciduous Ferns handle a wide range of climates and conditions! A native Fern throughout the Northeastern US and Eastern Midwest, these are highly adaptable!

Planting and Application:

A native colonizer that covers the ground fast! Also called the Hay-Scented Fern, it is perfect for filling in and between your garden beds and along the edges of the wood. Spreading vigorously by rhizomes in the dappled shade, full shade, and sun, and colonizes en masse with ease.

An amazingly verdant groundcover, waste areas, and shady edges along your shed, garage, and foundations, Hayscented fronds spill and ramble around Rock Gardens and Cottage plantings. Wild areas become lush expanses that soothe the senses in 2-foot-tall lacy spears without the worry deer and rabbits will move in!

Adding sophisticated texture to your garden and large planters, Hayscented Fern provides low screening and privacy around patios and along your larger beds and borders. These hardy natives are typically found rambling along open woods, Rain Gardens, and along shaded river banks.

Plant near where you can brush against it or the breeze can carry the fresh sweet smell of mown hay! Add a few of the fronds to your floral bouquets to enjoy their scent and greenery!

Graceful, Finely-Cut Lacy, Light Green Fresh Fronds
Upward Arching Fountain Growth
Scented Like Freshly Mown Grass!
Golden-Russet Fall Color
Deciduous Groundcover, Containers, Woodland & Naturalizing Accent
Hardy U.S. Native Fern

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Ferns are easy to maintain and incredibly low maintenance, but also disease and pest-free. Hayscented Ferns can handle the densest shade in warmer climates and full sun in cooler areas, these natives are found naturalizing. These are incredibly tolerant, resilient, and adaptable plants that we're sure will make themselves right at home in your landscape!

Their sun tolerance depends on their access to moisture and your climate - more water and cooler climates mean Hayscented Fern can take more sun! Typically enjoying consistent moisture and humidity for the healthiest plants possible. Doing best in rich humus that is well-drained, Hayscented Fern even tolerates rocky soil as long as it has plenty of organic matter.

Add Nature Hills Root Booster during planting, because the symbiotic ingredients work non-stop over the life of the plant.

Living up to 10 years, these are vibrant and tough Ferns. Hardy and disease resistant, pest-free, and stand up to deer and rabbit browse. A generous layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. These evergreen Ferns clumps may be divided in spring, but this is seldom required. Though enjoying to spread, they're easily controlled and cared for.

Full Shade, Full Sun (in cool growing zones) & Part Shade
Tolerates Poor Soil
Moderate to Moisture Loving
Easy Care & Low Maintenance
Deer & Rabbit Resistant

Sometimes a plant performs just a bit too well in certain areas. Rest assured, Nature Hills uses Plant Sentry™ to track all federal, state, and local regulations on invasive materials. We will always protect you and your community. Plants are an investment in our future. We're happy to offer this special selection for sale in areas where it will work beautifully without any concern. To check your availability, simply type in your Zip Code to find your Hardiness Zone in the section above the Plant Highlights.

Easy breezy carpets of greenery, Hayscented Ferns add fresh green hues, soothing carpets of fragrance, and native hardiness to your landscape by ordering yours from Nature Hills Nursery today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and spread of Hayscented Fern?

Hayscented Fern reaches a mature height of 2 feet with an indefinite spread as it colonizes by rhizomes. This vigorous native groundcover spreads quickly to form dense colonies of upward arching fronds. Give it room to naturalize or plant where its spreading habit is an advantage for filling large areas.

Is Hayscented Fern deer-resistant or do deer eat it?

Hayscented Fern is highly deer-resistant and rarely browsed by deer or rabbits. This native groundcover spreads vigorously in zones 3-8, making it perfect for problem areas where deer typically graze. Plant it in shade or sun where you need low-maintenance coverage that wildlife will leave alone.

Can Hayscented Fern tolerate dry soil once established?

Hayscented Fern is quite drought tolerant once established, thanks to its adaptability in USDA zones 3-8. This hardy native spreads vigorously by rhizomes and handles a wide range of conditions. Allow it to establish for one growing season, then it will thrive even in drier woodland areas.

How do I plant Hayscented Fern, and what spacing should I use?

Plant Hayscented Fern in spring or fall in zones 3-8, spacing plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for natural spreading. This vigorous colonizer will quickly fill in gaps through underground rhizomes. Choose locations in partial shade to full sun with moist, well-draining soil for best results.

Is Hayscented Fern suitable for beginner gardeners with low maintenance needs?

Hayscented Fern is ideal for beginners, thriving in zones 3-8 with minimal care in sun or shade. This fast-spreading native tolerates various conditions and resists deer and rabbits. Plant it once and let it naturalize into a lush 2-foot groundcover.

Is Hayscented Fern available for shipping, and how is it packaged for delivery?

Hayscented Fern ships as bare root or potted plants depending on season and availability. These hardy zone 3-8 perennials are typically packaged with protective material around the roots to prevent damage during transit. Order early in the planting season for best selection and establish in spring or fall.

Hayscented Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula