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Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
on-OH-klee-ah sen-si-BIL-iss
Description

Sensitive fern is a NC native large, somewhat coarse, deciduous fern in the Aspleniaceae family, that occurs in wet woods and thickets and in moist soils along streams and springs. It can grow up to 4' tall. It features long-stalked, deeply pinnatifid, bright green, vegetative (sterile) fronds (2-4' long) with leathery, triangular leaflets (pinnae) which have distinctively netted veins. Shorter, erect, woody-like fertile fronds (to 12" tall), whose ultimate divisions are bead-like segments, typically brown up in late summer and persist throughout the remaining season and winter. Commonly called sensitive fern because the green vegetative fronds are sensitive to and suffer almost immediate damage from the first fall frost. This fern is also sensitive to drought.

It is best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. It needs consistent moisture to thrive. Although it is native to swampy and marshy areas, it grows quite well in average garden soil as long as the soil is not allowed to dry out, but it grows best in natural areas. In wet soils, which it tolerates well, it usually grows taller which makes it a good sheltering plant. The plant spreads by both creeping rhizomes and spores, and can be somewhat aggressive in optimum growing conditions. The fertile fonds of this plant look especially nice in dried arrangements. 

Seasons of Interest: 

  Leaf:  Summer                  

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: The foliage may depreciate as summer progresses in hot climates, particularly if soils are not kept moist.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

 

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Tags:
#deciduous#rain garden#drought tolerant#fern#cover plant#low maintenance#ncemgva2018#NC native#deer resistant#naturalizes#native fern#dried arrangements#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#bird friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Audubon#dry shade#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#rain garden#drought tolerant#fern#cover plant#low maintenance#ncemgva2018#NC native#deer resistant#naturalizes#native fern#dried arrangements#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#bird friendly#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Audubon#dry shade#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Onoclea
    Species:
    sensibilis
    Family:
    Onocleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    It provides excellent ground cover for animals.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Highly resistant to damage from deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Native Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits or seeds. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Shape:
    Rhomboidal
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The sensitive fern has broad, almost triangular fronds. The sterile fronds are deeply pinnatified to bipinnatified, and thin texture. The fronds of most pinnae are nearly opposite, the rachis is smooth, pale tan or yellow. The fronds turn yellow or russet in the fall. Fertile fronds emerge in late summer, are woody with beadlike segments, brown and persist into winter. Stipes are long (one half to two-thirds of frond), network veined. It is dimorphic (occurring in or representing two distinct forms).
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Weedy