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Maidenhair fern is highly ornamental for woodland and border gardens, with its delicate fronds. It is easy to grow. In the right conditions it will form colonies over time. Maintain soil moisture to avoid browning fronds in the late summer.

Key characteristics:

Is maidenhair fern right for you?

Traditional UseShiny, dark stems were used to make baskets.

MedicinalLeaves were used to make tea as a treatment for coughing.

Color SplashFiddlehead bursts into spring with showy red color.

Visitors to expect:

More about maidenhair fern:

American toadBufo americanus

five lined skinkEumeces fasciatus

blue-spotted salamanderAmbystoma laterale

MAIDENHAIR FERN (Adiantum pedatum)

Peter Gorman

William Cullina

National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (26-4639)

Michael Holroyd Todd Pierson

Help control invasives!Maidenhair fern is a possible alternative for snow-on-the-mountain, an invasive plant, both of which fill in space effectively in shade gardens.

Jerzy Opiola

Ken-Ichi Ueda

1-2 ft