An enchanting green jewel of the forest, our Missouri and Illinois native fern, Northern Maidenhair Fern Adiantum pedatum, graces the garden with finely textured soft green rounded fronds with shiny ebony stems. It creates a delicate look in the woodland garden. It spreads by rhizomes to form large colonies. Northern Maidenhair Fern grows 1-2.5′ tall and 1-1.5′ wide.

Use Northern Maidenhair Fern in naturalized woodland gardens and formal shade beds. It easily grows in average, well-drained soil in part shade to shade and even tolerates dark shade. It prefers a moist site and needs protection from the afternoon sun. Too much sun and not enough water will cause the fronds to brown.

Plant in shade to part shade in soil amended with compost or other organic matter. It can tolerate more light if kept moist, but it should not be exposed to midday sun.