Adiantum venustum (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Partial to full shade
Flowering period: N/A
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30cm
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 5a – 9b
Family: Pteridaceae
Adiantum venustum is an evergreen fern with a clump forming habit. Its light green fronds are triangular and its individual leaves are fan shaped. Its new fronds emerge bronze/ pink in late winter to early spring. Its stems are black. Its roots are rhizomes which aids its spread.
Adiantum venustum, commonly known as the Evergreen Maidenhair or Himalayan Maidenhair, is native to the Himalayan region at an altitude of between 2000m – 3000m.
The etymological root of the binomial name Adiantum is derived from the Greek adiantos meaning ‘unwetted’, referring to its water repelling fronds. Venustum is from the Latin meaning ‘attractive’.
The landscape architect may find Adiantum venustum useful as a low growing evergreen ground cover plant for shady locations.
Ecologically, Adiantum venustum is of little value to UK wildlife.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Adiantum venustum their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Adiantum venustum Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Adiantum venustum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.
Adiantum venustum requires little maintenance.
