Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Elegant. Resilient. Native Beauty.
Bring graceful, natural charm to your garden with the Sensitive Fern, a native perennial that thrives in moist, shaded spaces. With its bold, deeply lobed fronds and lush green foliage, this fern adds rich texture to woodland gardens, rain gardens, and shaded borders.
Despite its name, the Sensitive Fern is anything but delicate—it spreads reliably by rhizomes, forming attractive groundcover in the right conditions. It gets its name from its sensitivity to frost, as its fronds will die back at the first touch of cold. But come spring, it returns vigorously, year after year.
🟢 Botanical Name: Onoclea sensibilis
🌿 Height: 1–3 ft | Spread: 2–3 ft
☀️ Light: Part shade to full shade
💧 Water: Moist to wet soils; tolerates seasonal flooding
🌎 Native Range: Eastern North America
🌱 Deer Resistant | Low Maintenance | Great for Naturalizing
Perfect for eco-conscious landscapes, the Sensitive Fern supports native ecosystems and provides a serene, untamed beauty that pairs wonderfully with wildflowers and other shade-loving plants.
