Dennstaedtia punctiloba is a vigorous deciduous fern known for its soft finely divided fronds and subtle hay like fragrance when brushed or crushed. Forming expansive colonies through rhizomes, it thrives in woodland settings and naturalized areas, offering a feathery texture that lights up the forest floor with bright green foliage from spring to frost.
Height & Spread: 18 - 30 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Non flowering
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Prefers moist, organically rich soils but adapts to drier woodland conditions
Watering Needs: Moderate to low once established
Deer Resistance: Highly resistant due to unpalatable fronds
Native Status
Dennstaedtia punctiloba is native to eastern North America, where it naturally inhabits moist woods and shaded hillsides, forming ground covering colonies in undisturbed forest understories.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Ground feeding birds like thrushes and towhees forage among its dense fronds for insects and fallen seeds.
Beneficial Insects
- Provides habitat for ground beetles and overwintering insects that assist in decomposing leaf litter and controlling pest populations.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 24 - 36 in apart to allow for natural spreading and massed coverage over time.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for woodland gardens, erosion control on shaded slopes, or as a soft textured filler between shrubs and taller perennials in shade beds.
Companion Plants
- Polygonatum biflorum (Solomons Seal) - Arched stems and hanging white bells add height and grace in shaded groupings.
- Carex plantaginea (Seersucker Sedge) - Broad pleated leaves contrast nicely with the fern’s fine fronds.
- Stylophorum diphyllum (Wood Poppy) - Golden blooms stand out against the fern’s green backdrop in early spring.
- Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) - Forms a ground hugging mat with foamy white flowers that coexist with fern colonies.
- Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride' - Soft light green foliage complements the texture of hay scented fern and adds seasonal blooms.