List 6 – Adiantum aleuticum
Adiantum aleuticum (Pacific maidenhair)
Family: Pteridaceae
Useful cultivars and selections:
- Adiantum pedatum; east coast species that was previously grouped under the same name; does not grow as well in the Pacific Northwest; very similar in appearance but aleuticum has deep sinuses in the blade lobes, unlike pedatum
USDA Hardiness Zone: Zone 3-9
Size:
- 75m wide
- 75m tall
Form:
- Lush clumps with layered, horizontal fronds
Soil & Water requirements:
- Requires moist soil
- Well-drained, hummus-rich soil is best; will tolerate sandy and clay soils; will not do well in oversaturated soil
- When establishing, it needs thorough watering for the first few years; once established it will survive on less summer water, as long as it is in a shady spot
Exposure:
- Light to deep shade
- Avoid afternoon sun to prevent leaf burn
Leaves:
- Deciduous perennial
- Back of leaves are rolled over; this is where the spores are born
- Dainty, finger-like divided fronds; palmately branched
- Fronds have 3 to 8 fingers each
- Great contrast between the bright green leaves and the shiny, black stipes
- Soft leaves
Suitable uses:
- Woodland garden or margin
- Ground cover/mass planting
- Waterside planting
- Shady sites
- Waterfall/water feature splash zones
Potential pairings:
- Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ (black mondo grass)
- Colour partners – green and black
- Colour contrasts – lavender, blue, white, yellow
Propagation:
- Can be propagated by collecting leaflets with exposed, glossy, dark brown or black spores in midsummer; if green or brown = not ripe yet; if rough = spores have already been released
- Store leaflets in an envelope for one week; tap to help release spores
- Plants as soon as possible in rich, moist soil with protection from wind
Other:
- Considerably more hardy than adiantum venustrum
- Beautiful in appearance; graceful and delicate
- Deer resistant