Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: Northern maidenhair fern
Type: Fern
Family: Pteridaceae
Native Range: North America, Asia
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.00 to 2.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Tolerate: Heavy Shade
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy, acidic soils in full shade. Spreads slowly by creeping, branching rhizomes to form large colonies over time.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Adiantum pedatum, commonly called northern maidenhair fern, is a deciduous, clump-forming, Missouri native fern which typically grows 1.5 to 2' tall and is most frequently found on rich wooded slopes, ravine bottoms and damp shady woods. Features finely-textured, somewhat frilly fronds which have curved stalks and are palmately-divided (i.e., fronds divide into finger-like projections). Wiry stems are reddish-brown to black. Crosiers (coiled young fiddleheads) emerge pink in spring.
Genus name comes from the Greek word adiantos meaning unwetted in reference to the water repellent foliage.
Specific epithet means cut like a bird's foot in reference to the fronds.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. High summer heat may cause fronds to brown by mid to late summer, particularly if good soil moisture is not maintained and/or plants are grown in too much sun.
Uses
Attractive ornamental fern for the shaded border, woodland garden, shaded rock garden or native plant garden. Combine with broad leaves of hostas, caladiums or brunneras. Also effective as an edger along paths in shade gardens.