| Description | Maiden Hair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) is a spreading fern producing delicate fronds. |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Ferns - Hardy, Site author's observations |
| Hardiness Zone | Cold 3-8, Heat 1-7 |
| Sunlight | shade, filtered light |
| Moisture | prefers moist tolerates average |
| Soil & Site | humusy, moist ph 6-7 |
| Flowers | not a flowering plant |
| Leaves | lacy fan-shaped green fronds on brown stems (stipes), turns a nice russet brown in the fall |
| Roots | spreads by creeping rhizomes |
| Dimensions | reaches 12-16 inches tall spreading slow to moderate to about 2 feet |
| Maintenance | When to cut off the dead fronds is a matter of choice. I like to cut them back in the spring, leaving the dead fronds for winter interest. |
| Propagation | division |
| Misc Facts | The leaves were used to make a medicinal tea to treat constipation, coughs, and other respiratory diseases. The dark stems were also valued for their decorative qualities in basket making. The genus name comes from the Greek, meaning "not wetting," referring to the fronds' ability to shed water without becoming wet. |
| Author's Notes | I have found this fern a little slow to get started. Be patient; with time, it will form a thick ground cover layer. |
| Notes & Reference | #90-Ferns for American Gardens (John T Mickel), #191-Minnesota Wild Flowers (www.minnesotawildflowers.info), #250-Ferns to Know and Grow (F. Gordan Foster), #274-Site Authors' observations and growing experiences |
Cart
