Sensitive fern
Onoclea sensibilis
Sensitive fern is a perennial for groundcover, mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam, acid soil or moist ground, flowering Jun, Jul.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 60 cm |
| Spread | 90 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 4a-8b, RHS H6 |
| Pollinator-friendly | No |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 60 cm, it sits best along the front edge, where a low, spreading habit reads best. Give it about 90 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 8b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, acid soil, wet soil.
Border Builder uses Sensitive fern's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
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Worth knowing
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- It tolerates acid soil but dislikes shallow chalk.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allegheny Spurgeto edge in front
- Alumroot 'Palace Purple'to edge in front
- American Witch Hazelfor height behind it
- Anise/Blue Sagefor height behind it
- Appalachian Sedgeto edge in front
- Atamasco Rain Lilyto edge in front