Myriopteris lanosa — Hairy Lip Fern | Native Tennessee Rock Garden Fern, Live Plant
Hairy Lip Fern (Myriopteris lanosa, formerly classified as Cheilanthes lanosa) is a small, distinctive native fern grown from wild-type Middle Tennessee stock. In the wild, it's typically found tucked into rock crevices and ledges — a genuine dryland fern, which sets it apart from nearly every other fern species you'll find in cultivation.
Where most ferns demand consistent shade and moisture, Hairy Lip Fern does the opposite: it thrives in full sun to part shade and is genuinely drought-tolerant, with olive-green, evergreen fronds covered in fine hairs that help the plant regulate heat and retain moisture. Its "lip fern" name comes from the way the leaf edge curls under to protect the spore clusters along the margin. It spreads slowly by creeping rhizome, forming a low, mat-like presence rather than a tufted clump.
This is an excellent choice for rock gardens, dry stone walls, gravel beds, or any sunny, well-drained spot where a typical shade fern would struggle. It's also notably deer- and rabbit-resistant.
Growing conditions:
- Light: Full sun to part shade
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established; fronds may curl in dry spells and recover with moisture
- Soil: Rocky, well-drained, tolerant of acidic to alkaline and clay to gritty soils
- Height: 6–12"
Size: Shipped in a 4" container, established root system ready to transplant.
Shipping: Orders ship out UPS every Monday.