The Northern Maidenhair Fern

In a shady corner of the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest sits the maidenhair fern, delicate and dripping with moisture. This fern is nothing if not particular. It loves to live on canyon walls where moisture drips into its root zones. The maidenhair fern thrives near water gardens because it loves to remain moist and somewhat shady throughout the year. Pair its delicate leaves with the sturdy leaves of hostas and let moss grow underneath for a lovely temperate shade garden.

What Does the Northern or Five-Fingered Maidenhair Fern Look Like?

The Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) is a delicate beauty. It has long fronds with slightly fan-shaped, lacy fronds. This fern has a lovely black center with delicate fronds that extend from that center. It looks especially pretty in the morning dew or next to a fountain. The fronds naturally repel water and the water beads on the fronds. The name ‚”adiantum” is derived from the Greek word for unwetted.

Plant the Maidenhair Fern Beside a Water Garden or in the Shade

While some gardeners have no trouble at all with their maidenhair ferns, others have a very difficult time creating the correct conditions for their ferns to thrive. Ideally, locate the maidenhair fern next to a water garden or in a location where it will receive consistent moisture in its root zone. Place it a shady or partially-shady location. These ferns can grow up to a meter in height, but they tend to be a little smaller than that. Expect a maidenhair fern to become up to half a meter in width.

Caring for Pedatum

The Northern Maidenhair Fern needs water, but it also requires rich, moist soil. Soil with sufficient humus will contain enough organic material to help keep water next to the fern’s roots. Oddly enough, the fern will also thrive on rock faces when there is adequate water available. The maidenhair fern thrives in temperate areas like the Pacific Northwest, where it is not often bothered by severe cold.

Medicinal Uses of the Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum is actually a very useful plant species. It was once used as an element in cough syrup called ‚”Capillaire,” a tonic that was in use until the nineteenth century. Crush the fronds and use them to sooth bee stings, or place them in the hair to remove dandruff (Plants for a Future).

The Northern Maidenhair fern is a lovely and a useful plant. It is an ideal plant to place in an area adjacent to a water garden, since it loves both soil moisture and airborne moisture. Plant it near a tree or near larger plants like the hosta to provide this fern with some shade and shelter from the wind and cold.

Sources:

Plants for a Future: Edible and Medicinal Plants for a Healthier World. Fern, Ken. (2000) Permanent Publications.