Onoclea sensibilis
Blooming Time
Exposure
Interesting for its deeply lobed, deciduous, yellow-green foliage, sensitive fern excels in moist woodland borders. Its fertile fronds are brown, beadlike, and excellent in dried flower arrangements. Sensitive fern is a creeper that in time will colonize. Because of this it makes a good ground cover.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Tan to Brown
Growth Habit:
Max Height:
2½'
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Deep lobed yellow-green foliage accented with rich brown beadlike spore bearing fertile leaves--excellent in dried flower arrangements. Native species, moisture tolerant.
Landscape Value
Specimen, companion, accent, or massed as a ground cover.
Care
Watering:
Sensitive Fern requires a fair amount of supplemental watering and often requires watering on a regular basis during the growing season.
Fertilizing:
Sensitive Fern is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
Sensitive Fern is a deciduous plant (nonevergreen) and does not require pruning. It is perfectly acceptable to allow the dropped leaves to decompose and nourish the soil.