Adiantum hispidulum

Grown from short, creeping rhizomes, Adiantum hispidulum forms graceful clumps of fan-shaped, upright fronds rising a compact 12–18 inches tall and wide, maturing over a few seasons. In early spring, these fronds emerge with a rosy-pink whisper, before deepening to bronzy green as they unfurl—a visual poem to sunrise in your shaded borders.

Known as the Rough Maidenhair or Five-finger Jack, this fern’s dark wiry stems bear a delicate covering of hairs—nature’s own embroidery on its hardwood fern form. Native to warm regions of Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific, it’s become a trusted garden companion in USDA Zones 8–10, even naturalizing in parts of Zone 9. It thrives in moist, humus-rich soil, sheltered shade, and appreciates a touch of lime or crushed oyster shell—then a winter mulch, so it may return each spring as a rustled blush in the understory .

Highlights

• Size: Reaches 12–18″ (30–45 cm) tall and wide in 3–5 years

• New Growth: Fronds unfurl rosy pink, maturing to bronzy‑green foliage

• Stems: Dark, wiry, and minutely hairy (hispid), giving texture and contrast

• Habit: Deciduous to semi‑evergreen; may drop fronds in cold, holds foliage in warm climates or containers

• Hardiness Zones: USDA 8–10 (occasionally 7 with protection); naturalized in parts of Zone 9

• Culture Requirements: Part to full shade; rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil with occasional lime; mulch through winter

Gardeners praise Adiantum hispidulum for its elegant form, delicate foliage, and the soft flush of rosy spring growth that transforms any shade garden into a poem of quiet resilience and beauty.

Photos courtesy of Kim Starr and Michelle Bundy