Netted Chain Fern
Rare and absent in the northernmost parts of its range, Netted Chain Fern is a colony-forming fern, native to eastern North America. It grows naturally in shady, moist environments with rich organic soils …
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Moist |
| Sun Exposure | Partial, Shade |
| Height | 1' – 2' |
| Bloom Color | Green |
| Bloom Time | May, June |
| Spacing | 1' - 2' |
| Zones | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Root Type | Rhizome |
| Benefits | Deer Resistant |
Rare and absent in the northernmost parts of its range, Netted Chain Fern is a colony-forming fern, native to eastern North America. It grows naturally in shady, moist environments with rich organic soils, such as woodland swamps and bogs. At first glance it looks much like Sensitive Fern, but Chain Fern is smaller and the lobes tend to be arranged alternately along the leaf stalk, while the lobes of Sensitive Fern tend be oppositely arranged.
The glossy green fronds emerge pinkish in spring and unroll to a height of around 1 – 2 feet. These sterile fronds typically have 8 – 10 pairs of lance-shaped leaflets. The fertile fronds arise in summer to the same length as the sterile ones but have narrower leaf divisions. The fronds have netted veins and the sori (spores) on the fertile fronds are arranged in chain-like rows, giving this fern its common name.
Easily grown in organically rich, medium to wet soils in part shade to full shade. Netted Chain Fern provides a good groundcover for moist, shady areas. It also does well in average garden soils and will take a considerable amount of sun, but the soil must be kept consistently moist. This fern spreads by shallow, slender, brown rhizomes and will naturalize over time into large colonies in optimal growing conditions.
As with many ferns, Netted Chain Fern is both deer and rabbit resistant and tolerates heavy shade.
