Ferns are one of the most versatile plants to add texture and softness to a shade garden. Northern (Adiantum pedatum) and Southern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) maidenhair ferns are native to the Southeast. When planted in the right conditions, they add an airy and ethereal touch to a shady area.
When planted in the right conditions, Southern maidenhair ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris) add an airy and ethereal touch to a shady area.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The genus name Adiantum is derived from the Greek word adiantos, meaning unwetted, as maidenhair ferns have water-repellant foliage. The species name, pedatum, for the Northern maidenhair fern, means bird’s foot in Latin. The Southern maidenhair fern’s species name, capillus-veneris, comes from Latin, meaning hair (capillus) and Venus (veneris).
Both species of maidenhair ferns grow best in organically rich, moist, well-drained soil in part to full shade. These beautiful ferns should receive a few hours of early morning sun only if planted in partial shade. The fronds will turn brown if kept too dry or in too much sun. They will slowly spread by rhizomes and are deciduous. If you have issues with deer eating your hostas, substitute them with maidenhair ferns, as deer seldom bother them. There are rarely issues with insects or diseases.
The Northern maidenhair fern has palmately divided fronds (finger-like projections, similar to fingers radiating from the palm of your hand). The bright green foliage contrasts well with the reddish-brown to black wiry stems. The new fiddleheads will have a pink cast when emerging in the spring. It is cold hardy from USDA planting zones 3 through 8 and will be 1 to 3 feet tall and wide.
Northern maidenhair ferns (Adiantum pedatum) have palmately divided fronds.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The Southern maidenhair fern, also commonly called Venus-hair, has fine, lacy foliage and adds a graceful, delicate touch to a shady garden planting. The wiry stems are black and contrast well with the verdant green foliage. This beautiful fern is hardy from USDA planting zones 6 to 9 and will grow 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Due to the loss of native habitat in the Appalachian Mountains, Southern maidenhair ferns are listed as endangered in North Carolina and threatened in Kentucky.
A Southern maidenhair fern’s fine, lacy fronds add a graceful, delicate touch to a shade garden.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Maidenhair ferns are beautiful additions to borders, shaded rock gardens, or intermingled with other shade-loving plants, such as Nippon lily, hostas, evergreen ferns, aspidistra, or hellebores. For more information on growing ferns, see HGIC 1176, Hardy Ferns.
The delicate foliage of Southern maidenhair ferns contrasts well with the bold foliage of Nippon lily (Rhodea japonica).
Barbara H. Smith, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
