Maidenhair fern

Use beautiful maidenhair ferns to add an airy, delicate texture to the shade garden. There's something almost magical about the plants, especially when paired with a coarser plant, such as hosta. Maidenhair ferns are lovely when grouped in a shady, moist, well-drained location, forming a fine-textured mass.

Light:

Part Sun,Shade

Zones:

3-10

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

12-30 inches tall

Plant Width:

12-30 inches wide

Flower Color:

Some forms have bluish-green leaves

Bloom Time:

Nonflowering

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Groundcover

Special Features:

Attractive Foliage

Top Varieties

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American maidenhair fern

Adiantum pedatum is native to North America and bears upright black or brown stalks with featherlike medium green fronds. It grows 12-16 inches tall. Zones 3-8
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Northern maidenhair fern

Adiantum pedatum aleuticum, at 30 inches tall, is larger than American maidenhair fern. It has black stems. New growth may be tinged pink. Zones 3-8
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Southern maidenhair fern

Adiantum capillus-venerus has fan-shape leaflets on black stems. It is hardy only in Zones 8-10 and remains evergreen down to about 28 degrees F.
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Garden Plans

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Lush Woodland Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Lungwort

The silvery splotched leaves of lungwort team with maidenhair fern to create season-long interest in the shade garden. Spring flowers in shades of pink, white, and blue are a bonus.

Hosta

The bold foliage of hosta provides a dramatic contrast to the finely divided fronds of maidenhair fern. Variegated forms of hosta, in particular, highlight the fern foliage.

Corydalis

Long-blooming yellow corydalis is a perfect way to add color and complement a planting of maidenhair fern.

Propagation

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Division