Western Maiden Hair Fern

Scientific name

Adiantum Aleuticum

Description

Western Maidenhair Fern, also called 'five-finger fern', aleutian maidenhair, serpentine maidenhair, or northern maidenhair, is a highly textured and very attractive deciduous perennial that typically grows between 0.1-0.75m tall. It is palmately branched, with 6-10 fronds (or 'fingers') per plant that are bright green and extend outwards from the center in a fan-like shape. Stalks are dark brown or purplish-black. The leaflets (called pinnae) are made up of 15-35 fan-shaped segments (called pinnules), that are each 10-25mm long and have jagged edges. It often forms large, dense colonies. The genus name Adiantum means "unwetted", referring to the fact that the leaves of Maidenhair Fern wick away moisture.

Planting conditions

Western Maidenhair Fern requires shaded conditions. It thrives in humus-rich acidic soils that are consistently moist, but not wet. It can often be found at low to middle elevations, in moist forests and ravines and along stream banks.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
• Moisture level:
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Humus
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
  • 7b
  • 8a
• Plant type:
  • Fern
• Height:
  • 75cm
• Spread:
  • 60cm