Photo by Beth Kleinpeter.
Onoclea Sensibilis
A tender namesake assuredly, Sensitive Fern is a native fern that belongs in almost every home garden and beyond. I grew up alongside this fern. It flourishes on the land I was raised on, growing in textured and deep green masses beneath the stands of the spindly Swamp Titi trees I frolicked among. The bark of the titi trees is of cinnamon hue, and the contrast between the low ferns and elegant titi bogs is just tremendous to me and of astute design. Some things only Mother Nature can come up with.
This fern is called “sensitive” as it is quickly affected by the first frosts we have. It returns with great vigor each spring, yet is visibly affected by even the slightest frost. I find it grows often in low, moist areas or at a creek's edge—though it seems to be open to growing just about anywhere you place it, even in drought and semi-full sun. The fern spreads beautifully into a colony—strong, yet rarely overbearing. It brings to any garden excellent texture and architectural shape, all with great ease.
