Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern)
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.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
- Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm). Spreads by both creeping rhizomes and spores and may become invasive in small gardens.
- Performs best in part shade to full shade in organically rich, consistently moist, neutral to acidic soils.
- This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, woodland gardens or along streams, ponds or bog gardens.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Rabbit resistant.
- Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
- Propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe or by division in early spring.
- Native to eastern North America, Asia.
Requirements
| 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 |
Recommended Companion Plants
Requirements
| 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 |
