Re: [SG] Maidenhair Fern

This is my experience with Maiden Hair fern (ADIANTUM pedatum) this fern will
grow in a number of different habits but seems to prefer shady moist soils
that are cool. I find them mixed in with tall stands of interrupted ferns and
under mature oak canopies were to soil is moist most of the year but not wet.
But I have also seen stands in somewhat more dry soils with good leaf mold.
They are easy to transplant but whenever I have gotten them from wholesalers
they have been rather small. I like the dark puplish/black stems and the very
fine lacy foliage on this species. I would call it one of the more attractive
ferns that grows 15" tall, they spread at a moderate pace, being none
invasive. They will grow into think clumps. Rhizomes are scaly and short and
shallow growing but covered with dirt.
Plants are found in the wild in moist woods and along streams, in
circumneutral soils. From Que to Alaska to Asia. down to Oklahoma to
California
I highly recommend this native fern, plus sensitive fern for those that want
shorter ferns for the shade garden. Failure maybe do to dry soils or planting
the rhizome to deep. this is not an aggressive growing species.

Plants are suited best for colder parts of the world I have heard they do not
do well were summers are hot and humid, There are a range of forms that can be
grown from short growing types to those with drooping fronds and those with
glaucous growth and even those that have pinish-bronze new growth.

Hope you can find something to help with your problem.

Keep the soil moist, add a lot of organics and mulch lightly every year for
best growth.
Grow in the shade in cool soils.
Do not plant the rhizomes to deep.

Paul Henjum
Specialty Perennials
zone 4
only 12 weeks of winter left
http://hardyplants.com
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