Description

Common Name: netted chain fern

Type: Fern

Family: Blechnaceae

Native Range: North America

Zone: 3 to 9

Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

Bloom Time: Non-flowering

Bloom Description: Non-flowering

Sun: Part shade to full shade

Water: Medium to wet

Maintenance: Low

Suggested Use: Naturalize

Tolerate: Rabbit, Heavy Shade

Garden locations

Culture

Easily grown in organically rich, medium to wet, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Does well in average garden soils and will take considerable sun as long as soils are kept consistently moist. Spreads by branching and creeping rhizomes, and will naturalize over time into large colonies in optimum growing conditions… almost to the point of being weedy.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Netted chain fern is a deciduous fern of eastern North America which typically occurs in woodland swamps and bogs. Although native to Missouri, it is considered rare in the State and is known to exist in only four southern counties. Features pinnatifid, glossy green sterile fronds which emerge pinkish in spring and unroll to 1-2′ long. Sterile fronds typically have 8-10 pairs of lance-shaped pinnae (leaflets) with small marginal teeth. Fertile fronds arise in summer to the same length as the sterile ones, but have narrower leaf divisions. The pinnae of both fronds have netted veins and the sori (spores) on the fertile fronds are arranged in chain-like rows parallel to the pinnae midribs, hence the common name. This fern is similar in appearance to the much more common sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), except the latter generally grows taller (to 4′), has beaded, woody-like fertile fronds and has smooth-edged leaflets on the sterile fronds.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Needs consistently moist soils.

Garden Uses

Shade gardens, native plant gardens, woodland gardens or naturalized areas. Also effective along streams and ponds.