Mairis's Hardy Maidenhair Fern Adiantum x mairisii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ad-ee-AN-tum mair-IS-ee-eye
- Description
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Mairis's Maidenhair is a sterile, artificial hybrid between Adiantum capillus-veneris and a tropical maidenhair, either A. raddianum or A. aethiopicum in the Ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae).
It grows in partial, dappled, or deep shade and in organic, loamy, or sandy soil. The fern likes moisture and good drainage. It grows about 1 to 1.5 feet high by 1.5 to 3 feet wide in a mounding form. It has bright green, lacy fronds that provide year-round interest. It is hardier than either parent.
This perennial fern works well in a woodland or shade garden, or even in containers.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No significant diseases or pests. The Florida Fern Caterpillar can be a problem.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Adiantum
- Species:
- × mairisii
- Family:
- Pteridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Verticillium Wilt, heavy shade, deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits; reproduces via spores
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green, delicate lacy fronds are bipinnate to tripinnate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Black
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Charcoal black stems contrast nicely with the foliage.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
