What: Himalayan maidenhair fern, also known as adiantum venustum, features delicate fronds and an airy appearance. And, yet, it is a trouper. Unlike most hardy maidenhair ferns, Himalayan maidenhair fern is also evergreen.
Why plant it? Perhaps most enchanting, is the way its small fronds unfurl in late winter with a warm, bronze blush. They mature to a fresh spring green, contributing a wonderland effect to the woodland garden.
Where: It requires shade or part shade, such as the bright shade cast by overhead trees, rather than a half day of sun and a half day of shade.
It prefers fertile, rich, well-drained soil. It does not like very wet or boggy soil. It is fairly drought tolerant once established if grown in the soil and light conditions just described.
Himalayan maidenhair fern spreads very slowly, so it can be used to line paths or as a gentle ground cover in shady locations.
It is an excellent foil for other woodland and shade-garden plants. Use it under rhododendrons or mix it with fall-blooming hardy cyclamen, such as cyclamen coum or cyclamen hederifolium for an interesting textural contrast.
Plant it in good soil and give it extra water and fertilizer to encourage faster growth.
How: In January, cut the previous year’s fronds to the ground to highlight the beautiful new fronds as they emerge.
It resents being divided. If you do divide, make your divisions as large as possible for best results.
Actual size: Its fronds reach 6 to 8 inches tall. It spreads at a rate of 6 to 8 inches a year.
This fern is slow to establish, not beginning to spread until it has been planted for a year or two.
Learn more: See www.greatplantpicks.org.
Source: Great Plant Picks
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