Onoclea sensibilis - Sensitive Fern

This distinctive fern has broad, green fronds and separate brown, fertile fronds that are attractive year-round. It forms large patches and a mass of pale red fiddle-heads forms in the spring. Sensitive fern is a good ground cover in wet to inundated areas of partial sun or shade. This species works well in rain water gardens that do not dry out completely. Sensitive ferns are also good wetland restoration plants for shrubby or wet meadow areas too!