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Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort)

Maidenhair Spleenwort, Common Spleenwort, English Maidenhair, Green Spleenwort, Waterwort, Asplenium trichomanoides

AGM Award
Asplenium trichomanes, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Common Spleenwort, English Maidenhair, Green Spleenwort, Waterwort, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil
Asplenium trichomanes, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Common Spleenwort, English Maidenhair, Green Spleenwort, Waterwort, Shade plants, shade perennial, plants for shade, plants for wet soil

One of the finest miniature ferns, award-winning Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) is an evergreen fern forming a pretty rosette of long, slender, tapering fronds adorned with glossy black stems boasting many small, rounded or oblong, bright green pinnae. It remains lush and fresh-looking throughout the year. While small and fragile-looking, this cute and adorable fern is incredibly tough once established. Low maintenance, disease, and pest-free, Maidenhair Spleenwort is ideal for grouping in the garden’s foreground, and containers and equally attractive in wall crevices where it can be admired close-up or in a shady rock garden.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Grows up to 6 in. tall (15 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm).
  • A part to full shade lover, it is best grown in fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Excellent drainage is required, and limestone-based soil is best, rather than acidic. Mulch around the plants with compost to keep the soil moisture even
  • This plant is a great choice for shady beds and borders, underplanting of roses and shrubs, cottage gardens, or city or rock gardens and containers.
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
  • Propagate by sowing spores in mid to late summer or by division in spring.
  • Native to most of the Northern Hemisphere.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 3 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Aspleniaceae
Genus Asplenium
Common names Spleenwort
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 5" - 6"
(13cm - 15cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 6" - 12"
(15cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Traditional Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Asplenium montanum (Mountain Spleenwort)
Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony Spleenwort)
Asplenium nidus (Bird’s Nest Fern)
Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen and Chickens Fern)
Asplenium scolopendrium (Hart’s Tongue Fern)

Recommended Companion Plants

Athyrium filix-femina (Lady Fern)
Blechnum spicant (Hard Fern)
Epimedium × rubrum (Red Barrenwort)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 3 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Ferns
Plant Family Aspleniaceae
Genus Asplenium
Common names Spleenwort
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 5" - 6"
(13cm - 15cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 6" - 12"
(15cm - 30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Traditional Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage
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