Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Adiantum pedatum
Northern Maidenhair Fern
- Family
- Pteridaceae
- Height
- 1 to 3 feet
- Width
- 1 to 2 feet
- Flower color
- Non-flowering fern
- Foliage color
- Delicate, bright green, fan-shaped fronds with dark, wiry stems
- Bloom time
- Not applicable
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Low; remove old fronds as needed; may require attentive watering during establishment
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Not applicable
About this plant
Adiantum pedatum, commonly known as the northern maidenhair fern, is a delicate, deciduous fern with airy, fan-shaped fronds arranged in a distinctive circular pattern. The fine, bright green leaflets emerge from dark, wiry stems, creating a graceful contrast that adds texture and movement to shaded gardens. Unlike flowering plants, this fern reproduces via spores, which develop on the undersides of its fronds.
Native to North America, Adiantum pedatum thrives in woodland settings, where it naturally grows in moist, shaded environments. Its light, feathery foliage makes it an excellent choice for softening garden edges, underplanting trees, or complementing other shade-loving plants. The fern's elegant form and ability to thrive in cooler, shaded areas have made it a favorite in naturalistic and woodland-style gardens.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Rain Gardens · Cut Flower Gardens
Companion plants
Epimediums · Hostas · Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Lungworts · Wild ginger
Design tip
Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
