Sensitive Fern, Bead Fern, Sympathy Fern, Japanese Ostrich Fern, Ostrich Fern
A unique addition to a moist woodland garden, Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) is a deciduous, rhizomatous fern boasting broad, deeply pinnatifid, pale sea-green, sterile fronds, 2-4 ft. long (60-120 cm), adorned with leathery, triangular leaflets and netted veins. Shorter and narrow, the fertile fronds, 12 in. (30 cm), appear in mid to late summer, with bead like sori (spores) arranged toward the top of the fronds. The fertile fronds turn brown in late summer and persist throughout winter, releasing their spores to the wind the following spring before new leaves emerge. The common name comes from the observation by early American settlers that Onoclea sensibilis was very sensitive to frost, the fronds dying quickly when first touched by it. Easy to grow in most cool, moist, shaded sites, Sensitive Fern is a great asset for bog gardens, pondside plantings and water gardens. Cut fronds are great for dried flower arrangements.
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Plant Type | Ferns |
Plant Family | Onocleaceae |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Height |
3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread |
3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 48" (120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
Tolerance | Full Shade, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden |
Hardiness |
4 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Plant Type | Ferns |
Plant Family | Onocleaceae |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Height |
3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread |
3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 48" (120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, United States, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin |
Tolerance | Full Shade, Rabbit, Clay Soil, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden |
How many Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!