Hay-scented Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 10}

Dennstaedtia punctilobula (AKA Eastern Hayscented Fern)
Pronunciation: den-STAY-dee-uh punk-TIL-uh AM-uh-thist MIST
Product: 7913

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(minimum of 10) Bare Root Plants
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Please read: This is the only plant that we sell that has an expected loss rate (with every other plant that we sell you should not lose a single plant). It is NOT recommended for anyone who is not experienced with this challenging fern. If you plant it properly, give it a suitable environment, and keep it adequately moist, 25% of these plants will not emerge after transplanting. If your environment and/or care is less than ideal, you could lose ALL of the plants. If you are not willing to assume this riak, do not order these plants. We will not replace or refund any plants that do not survive.

FYI: Tops that are on these when we ship will die back. They will later send up new tops. If they have no tops when we ship they will sometimes send up tops just to die back and send up new tops later. This is odd behaviour, but that is what happens.

Make sure you look at an example of a bare root Hayscented fern so you are not shocked by the "hairy sticks" you will receive.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to plant these roots parallel to the ground (do not plant them with the root pointing up/down, the root should be pointing side-to-side), about 1 inch below the surface of the soil.

Note: do not worry if they shoot up tops and then die back, that can happen and is not a cause for concern. New foliage will appear later.

Unique and prized for its delightful fragrance of freshly mown hay when crushed or bruised, Dennstaedtia punctilobula is a fantastic perennial groundcover for those with a large, blank canvas looking for economic and moderate to fast coverage. Light green fans of foliage turn golden in autumn brightening shaded gardens with soft luminescence. Intricate bipinnate fronds create texture and movement.

Hay-scented Fern is tolerant of most soil types provided it is somewhat acidic, will grow in full shade, part sun and even full sun (just give her regular moisture without leaving her feet wet), and absolutely adores a dappled shade environment. She is appreciated by gardeners for her willingness to tolerate drought in shaded spots and harsh urban elements in city locales as well as the fact that deer and rabbits tend to avoid her.

Reaching heights of nearly 3 feet, this fern behaves beautifully as a taller border edging, performs famously on a shaded slope controlling erosion, and rapidly naturalizes in woodland settings by underground rhizomes. In mass plantings, which is hands-down the best application due to her slightly invasive personality, Hay-scented fern becomes a softly glowing thicket of lush green foliage that arches gracefully toward the light.

Please read about bare root plants so you know what to expect.

Interesting Facts
The clusters of sporangia are surrounded by cup-shaped coverings, hence the sometimes used common name of cup fern for plants in the genus Dennstaedtia.

This genus honors A. W. Dennstaedt, an 18th century German botanist.

Gardener Tips
In hot, southern climates, Hay-scented Fern's foliage tends to go dormant in summer, so you will want to consider a companion plant with a late bloom time, evergreen or richly colored foliage. If you need a border, try a row of Hay-scented Fern with a Coral Bell such as Amethyst Mist whose deep burgundy foliage provides a gorgeous contrast.
See other plants that go well with this plant.
General information about Ferns:
When gardeners and landscape designers are looking for a dramatic, vibrant spray of color and foliage, they will often consider ferns for their project. In addition to sweeping texture and lush greenery, ferns work wonderfully as independent or companion perennials.

Perfect in mass plantings where they create the feeling of a field of grass swaying gently in soft breezes, ferns are also delightful as borders where they stand like shapely chartreuse soldiers at the edges of garden beds. Then again, when used as accents, in single plantings, or clusters amidst a rock garden, you have a moving work of willowy art.

But what to choose? You’ll be pleased to know that after more than 40 years of experimenting with various ferns, we have compiled a selection of the easiest to grow and hardiest ferns.Essentially, we’ve narrowed the list down for you, so you can select from our varieties with confidence. A bonus with our ferns is that all, except Japanese Painted Fern and Japanese Shield Fern are native to the United States.

Our ferns generally thrive in part shade and full shade. Have a full sun location? Southern Shield Fern even tolerates full sun! You will love the hardiness of our ferns as all of them are tolerant of drought and most are rarely eaten by deer.

Selections like Christmas Fern are wonderful erosion control options. With some ferns being evergreen and some semi-evergreen, you are sure to find the option that works wonderfully for your garden. Be sure to check each plant's Description tab for details.

Special note when planting bare root ferns in hot weather: If you plant bare root ferns during hot weather it is common for the foliage to die off. Do not fret, as long as you keep them moist they will grow back foliage. Depending on the severity of the heat it might not be until after summer ends.

See all ferns
Specifications
Reviews
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100% Failure
07/05/2021 By STACIE SCHROEDER (MO)
Product reviewed: Hay-scented Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

I was prepared for losses with these ferns after reading the web description. I was not prepared for NONE of them to emerge, even after taking great care with them. The listing says that these plants will not be replaced and the company stands by that statement... Read full review >
Ferns arrived in great shape
10/21/2020 By Mark Heller (PA)
Product reviewed: Hay-scented Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

Great job on fulfilling my order of hay-scented ferns. They arrived very quickly and were in great shape. I planted them immediately and can't wait to see how they do.

Mark

The hey-scented Fern is a challenge: It is a rapid and
hardy ever expanding/multiplier, however bare root cuttings do not always sprout.

In my case my shipment yielded almost 95% , which is extraordinary!

I AM A HAPPY PLANTER!
in the ground
05/21/2019 By Mary Putt (PA)
Product reviewed: Hay-scented Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

Not sure what to expect but the bareroot plants that arrived were in beautiful condition. Crossing my fingers they grow.
weak plants
07/03/2018 By Nadya Dimitrov
Product reviewed: Hay-scented Fern {Bare Root Plants, min 10}

The ferns are thin and brown stems, with few green leaves. compared with others who are doing well in the humid weather of Long Island, NY, they look weak.
worried they will not survive...

=============
07/03/2018 Classy Groundcovers comment:
Yes, they... Read full review >
Shipping
We do not recommend shipping this plant during the heat of summer. This means plant before July or after August.

You may order them, but understand that we will not replace or refund should any perish. (more)

You may specify a future ship date when you checkout.
FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know how many days delivery will take and can control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- Transit Time For Your Shipment (at most 3 days)
- When We Ship
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- No Shipments To: AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA or internationally
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns
Care
Performs best in well-drained (but moist) soil with added organic compost or peat moss. Best not to allow soil to dry out.
Will tolerate sun if given enough moisture.
Ferns have delicate foliage that often suffers during shipment and transplanting. Cut off any foliage that is broken, bent, brown or yellow - the plants will quickly recuperate with fresh growth. Bare root ferns are particularly prone to foliage loss, it is not uncommon to have to cut them off at ground level when transplanting. As long as the roots are firm they will recover, often showing new growth within weeks during warm months. If transplanting bare root ferns during warm weather they might not send up foliage until summer ends or the following spring (best to transplant bare root ferns when they are dormant: late fall to early spring).
General information that applies to all plants:
- Ground preparation, fertilization, pH
- Planting instructions
- Explanation and description of bare roots
- How to plant bare root plants
- If you cannot plant bare roots right away

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