I love ferns. Some remind me of ballerinas. Images of grace. Though dainty looking, many of them can be hardy plants. No need to pamper.
This one, I believe, is a fern that is native to Virginia. Northern Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum Pedatum. I moved this large clump of fern from my house in Arlington, Virginia, to my home in the mountains of central Virginia, in about 2008. Since then, it has slowly but surely become a larger and larger clump of grace and beauty.
In early spring, I check and wait for the unfurling of the beautiful little fronds to begin. They are not the first of the plants to wake from their winter slumber.
The fronds grow slowly, turning from a reddish color to green as they mature.
Finally becoming a major part of the garden. Grace and beauty.
I cannot say that Maidenhair Fern is a common plant in the woods of Snow Mountain, but I do find it from time to time. One little cluster of its fronds is used, as I hike the mountain road. Pictured here, is the clump that I use as my marker. This is my turn-around point. When I see it, I know it is time to head back down the road. Time to head home with my cameras full of pictures.
6 responses to “Maidenhair Fern”
This is my favorite fern! I have a clump growing in my “Woodland Edge.” It just greened up. I also planted some for a friend in the village but they are not doing well. I hope they make a comeback. They are so beautiful!
Kathy! How could we *not* love Maidenhair Fern! I bought the ferns that I moved from Arlington, way back in the day when I was ignorant of native plants, and what a thrill to find that I did a good thing by buying a native! AND that it grows here where I live. I wonder if *somehow* I knew, without really knowing!
Thanks bunches for reading my blog, and for posting a comment! I hope your friend’s ferns come back this spring!
Nice! I found some growing in the woods behind our house near High Knob: http://www.olddominionwildlife.com/2009/10/02/maidenhair-fern/
Steven! Ferns are so cool! I must admit they throw me, being so very different from other plants, in so many ways. One of these days I’ll be able to get my brain around them. In the meantime, it delights me to find so many native species growing here in our wonderful Blue Ridge Mountains!
Thanks so much for reading my blog!
This is also one of my favorites that I managed to grow this year. I would love to see a beautiful clump growing in my shade.
Hi Donna! I’ve got a very large clump of this wonderful fern. It is going to present me with a challenge some time in the future. It is too close to an area where a patio will be going. I can just imagine it will take lots of work to get it moved. I know though that it will be worth it. This will be the third time this clump has been moved over the years.
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