Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern)

Onoclea sensibilis, commonly called sensitive fern or bead fern, is a deciduous, wet-loving native fern that thrives in boggy, shaded environments like flooded woodlands, stream banks, or in shaded areas near ponds. Growing to 2-4' tall in large clumps with wide-lobed, smooth fronds, sensitive fern is an excellent form of shady erosion control, and can spread quickly through its creeping rhizomes.

Sensitive fern is highly tolerant of heavy shade and acidic, perpetually wet soils, as long as it is provided with enough soil oxygen; perpetually wet heavy clay soils may choke it out over time, but when provided with fresh water and nutrient rich soil, Onoclea sensibilis can even grow when partially submerged. And while sensitive fern likes it shady and wet, it can also tolerate full sun and periods of extended dry soil and deer browsing, making it a hardy choice for any woodland area or low-lying wet spot. Given the right conditions, this species will form large colonies by way of thin rhizomatic roots, which may be beneficial for groundcover plantings, but care should be taken with choosing a good planting location, as Onoclea sensibilis can become weedy over time.