The Hay Scented Fern is a deciduous plant native to eastern North America. It is commonly found in moist woods, thickets, and along stream banks. When crushed, it releases a fragrance that is often described as hay-like.
Hay Scented Fern Characteristics
They have triangular fronds that can grow up to 2-3 feet in height, with deeply cut leaflets that give them a lacy appearance. They typically grow in large clumps and can spread rapidly through underground rhizomes.
Hay Scented Fern In Landscaping
They are often used in landscaping as ground cover or to create a naturalistic woodland setting. In the wild, they provide essential habitats for wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
Hay Scented Fern Are Natives, Hardy, and Easy To Maintain
It is generally considered easy to grow and is famous for gardens and landscapes. Native to North America, it thrives in shady areas with moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate various soil types but prefers a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. They also adapt to different light conditions, although they do best in partial to full shade.
They are non-flowering plants that can produce 36-inch fronds when mature. The lack of flowers is more than made up for by the bright green fronds, which smell like hay when broken or crushed.
Hay Scented Fern prefers shaded areas with slightly acidic soil to grow in, but the plant will adapt to sunny locations with less-than-ideal soil conditions and be at home in zones 3-8. Growing Habits A will form a colony and spread rapidly to become a dense ground cover.
Hay Scented Fern Is Great For Groundcover
The plant is an excellent ground cover for areas you wish to avoid mowing or caring for. It grows a firm, fibrous underground root system that helps prevent soil erosion.
It thrives independently after becoming established. Plant bare-root ferns in soil to which compost has been added.
They are hardy and forgiving, but to establish a colony and grow without issue, they will need no further care Once the plants have become set. It does not provide a bloom, just the foliage.
They grow partly to full shade and require much water to keep them healthy. After establishing the plant colony, bright green, large leafy fronds appear as textured carpeting. Planted under the canopy of trees at the edge of a landscape or on a hillside to prevent erosion, these plants add a colorful architectural element to the landscape view.
Deers dislike Hay Scented Fern's taste, so the plants can be used as a deterrent in areas where deer are unwelcome. Insects, pests, and other small woodland animals also seem to dislike the scent and flavor of them, which are usually not found where they thrive.
