If you have ever crushed the fronds of this plant, you will smell the fragrance of freshly mowed hay that emits from them. Just the aroma can make one think upon country living, haystacks and hay rides, but it is this very fragrance that gives this fern its name. The Hay-Scented Fern [Dennstaedtia punctilobula] is a native species with lacy, light-green fronds that grows in large colonies, especially in forests dominated by maple or cherry trees, cloaking the area with their beauty. The genus Dennstaedtia was named after the German botanist August Wilhelm Dennstedt (1776 – 1826). The species name means ‘finely pointed lobes’, which refers to the delicately toothed margins of the leaf pinnules.



It is a deciduous plant that grows in woods and open woods and is native to the eastern United States and Canada. This fern can be invasive in some forest understories, partly because deer do not eat hay-scented fern. When the deer eat the shrub and herbaceous plants they do desire, like hobblebush or raspberry, it can prevent germination of other species, leaving room for the hay-scented fern to grow denser and become more invasive. The browsing of ferns is avoided by deer because of an enzyme in the foliage that hinders the deer’s ability to absorb nutrition. If you are having any trouble with invasion, the experts at your local nursery or garden supply center can advise you. It can be treated chemically or non-chemically. Mowing in June, after the full expansion of the fern fronds, and again in August, for two consecutive years, will significantly reduce the height and density of the ferns and allow increased light. Mowing will not eliminate the ferns from your woods, but it may control them so that other species can have time to establish themselves. Two other methods, although somewhat speculative, include liming and mulching. (ref: USDA Forest Service, NY Northeastern Area State & Privacy Forestry and the NY Forest Owners Association). The pulling out of excess rhizomes will help also.



The fronds of this particular fern develop in patches, rather than individual clumps. Finely cut pinnacles form fronds with a pyramidal outline. The fronds are long, erect to arching, lance-shaped, oval-oblate fronds that are usually widest at the base; hairy, thin in texture and yellow-green, growing from 20 – 32 inches long and 11 inches wide. The stipe is between ? – 1/3 the length of the frond. It is brown to a bright red in color, with the feathery fronds turning to soft yellow or reddish gold in the fall. The long-creeping, straight, underground stems (rhizomes) are 0.7 – 0.11 inches in diameter. The fronds are clustered or scattered along the rhizome.



The Hay-scented fern is easy to cultivate. It spreads rapidly when planted in light shade to part sun; is medium drought tolerant and tolerates salt spray.



The Hay-scented fern is a superb groundcover, but make sure you plant it where it will be allowed to spread freely. This fern does well on northern slopes and is most effective for erosion control.

As the green movement continues to gain momentum, it is important to not lose sight of the simpler but equally important aspects of environmental protection. Recycling and buying fuel efficient or hybrid cars are heavily touted as ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Some would argue however that scant attention is given to other methods of conservation. Nature itself is a great source of environmental protection.



Wetland Preservation



Wetlands are diverse ecosystems that have two prominent features. These are the almost constant presence of water and the ability to sustain a variety of organisms. They can include bogs or swamps and serve a number of helpful functions for the environment including:



• Regulating the flow of rivers

• Removing pollutants from the water supply

• Allowing the spawning of a number of species

• Providing food for wildlife



Despite their importance, however, there are factors which affect the viability of wetlands. Some of these are:



• Removal of plants

• Excessive pollution

• Global warming

• Flooding

• Overgrazing



Many people may be surprised to learn that the destruction of wetlands for the most part can be mitigated. Restoring or saving wetlands involves restoring the vegetation and carefully monitoring the area for harmful materials.



Wetland Restoration



Thankfully, many communities, environmental groups and companies have undertaken wetland restoration projects. The aim is to not only restore vegetation but also to revive the habitats of the creatures that make these areas home. For anyone who wants to start their own restoration project, there are plant nurseries that provide a variety of plants for this purpose. Some of these plants are:



• Beggar Tick

• River Oats

• Broomsedge

• Silky Dogwood

• Bristlebract Sedge



According to figures released by the U.S. Environmental Agency, roughly 100,000 acres of wetlands are being lost every year. In the face of such staggering data, restoration may seem like a lost cause. Nonetheless, many restoration projects have been successfully undertaken. Some wetlands are in federally protected areas, but many communities can and should begin their own local restoration efforts.



Undertaking a Restoration Project



Trying to restore a wetland doesn’t have to be a big project. In fact, it can be done by one or a few people depending on the size of the area. Whether the project is big or small, following certain guidelines will help. These include:



• First take a look at the wetland. This includes the vegetation and wildlife. It doesn’t make much sense to put in plants that are not native to the area.



• Create a plan for the project. It does not have to be a big plan, but put in as many details as possible. The plan should include the types of plants that will be bought and where they will be placed.



• Learn as much as possible about the area’s water supply. This could be a critical aspect of the project and may require permission from local authorities.



• Try to keep weeds under control so they don’t strangle the vegetation.



• Create a chart which shows what was planted and where they were planted as this will make monitoring easier.



There are a number of plant nurseries that can provide plants for wetland mitigation. Since community projects are unlikely to involve large budgets, a nursery that offers discounts on volume orders would be the best bet. It is important to make the necessary calls during the planning stage so the budget can be determined.



Shipping times and return policies are also important bits of information for the project. A mitigation project requires lots of time, careful planning and patience. Choosing the right plant provider can go a long way towards ensuring that the mission is a success.