Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) is a vigorous native fern known for its distinctive leathery fronds and adaptability to wet soils. Named for its tendency to wither after the first frost, it spreads via creeping rhizomes to form colonies in low lying or seasonally damp areas. Its fertile fronds appear upright and beadlike in late summer and persisting into winter and offering visual interest in shaded woodland settings.
Height & Spread: 18 - 30 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Non flowering (spore bearing)
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist to wet soils, tolerates clay and seasonal flooding
Watering Needs: Consistently moist; ideal for rain gardens and low swales
Deer Resistance: Generally unpalatable to deer due to coarse foliage
Native Status
Onoclea sensibilis is native to much of eastern and central North America. It plays a natural role in wetland margins and woodland ecosystems, contributing to erosion control and soil stabilization.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Provides cover and nesting materials for songbirds such as warblers and thrushes particularly in wetland forest edges.
Beneficial Insects
- The dense fronds offer shelter for ground beetles and overwintering predatory insects important for ecosystem balance.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Allow 24 - 36 in between plants to accommodate lateral spread via rhizomes.
Landscape Placement:
- Perfect for shaded rain gardens, woodland borders, streambanks, and low spots where water tends to collect.
Companion Plants
- Mimulus ringens (Allegheny Monkey Flower) - Purple summer blooms and upright form enhance the moist shady environments favored by Sensitive Fern.
- Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) - Bright golden flowers add spring interest and thrive alongside Onoclea in wet soils.
- Aruncus dioicus (Goats Beard) - Feathery white blooms and tall stature contrast with the fern’s coarse green fronds in moist woodland conditions.
- Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris) - Native wetland iris that brings vertical accents and striking purple blooms to damp areas.
- Carex grayi (Grays Sedge) - Distinctive seed heads and clumping habit pair well with the arching texture of Sensitive Fern.